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Teaching Sign language–
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My kids are particularly interested in learning sign language. They have been watching a show called “Sue Thomas FBeye” and pretend to be signing to each other. I want to jump on this opportunity but I know very little. Most of which was Taught to me by a deaf friend when I was little. Besides some of the “get by” phrases and the alphabet I don’t know anything else.
I found a nifty book called “Signing Illustrated, the complete learning guide” at a yard sale this past summer it’s wonderful. I am not planning to use the book to teach but more as a reference. I’m thinking that we will start by learning the alphabet. They can spell their names and other things to practice. And they have each other to practice with. Then the days of the week and the colors.. Any other ideas? The book that I mentioned is wonderful in that it explains the importance of open and closed hands and how to use them. Which hand is used primarily for signing and other such things.
I’m not sure of the age of your kids – but there is a great kids show called “Signing Time”. It is a mom and a couple of kids (one of which is deaf) which teaches signs – on kind of a theme for each show) – there are songs etc too. Our library has some of them available, so you could check there. The good thing about a video is you can see the motion of the sign, which is kind of hard to convey in books.
There are also a few free signing courses on the internet….
The best way, of course, is to learn from a deaf person – but most places don’t have actual courses for kids. I think my city has a weeklong signing “thing” in the summertime (for adults and kids) but it is expensive…
Another nice resource are the free lessons at ASL University online.
My girls LOVE Signing Time! We have the first couple of videos called Baby Signing Time and then a couple of the regular ones. It was such a life saver to us when we adopted Shaoey. She was 15 months old and still had a cleft palate. What a great way for us to communicate. Grace picked it up too.
I’ll have to check out the ASL University, too. I have been having this desire to sign worship. We have an interpreter at church and it brings me to tears to watch her sign…
If you’re not opposed to a religious website, my girls (who recently got the same book you mentioned) have been learning to sign children’s songs from our church–The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons). Here’s the page they use. I hope I did the link thing right. You just click on the song you want to see.
Signing Time is an awesome video series. Our local libraries carry it, so you might want to check yours out!
Another resource you might want to check out are some of the churches in your area. More and more churches are offering interpreted services as well as a Deaf ministry. Our ministry offers classes for those who wish to learn ASL. You might want to check that out.
And, check out your local community colleges. They may not offer any classes for kids, but most will offer classes for adults who are wanting to learn
Mommix3-What are are you located in?
One thing I would mention for people who are interested in learning Sign Language is to make sure you are learning ASL, and not signed English. ASL has it’s own grammar form, while Signed English is signed exactly how English is spoken. The majority of Deaf people use ASL.
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