Signing Time

If you spend any amount of time at our house, you're likely to catch an episode of "Signing Time". Ms. Alison, Eden's early interventionist here introduced us to this amazing little series of videos when she started working with us. They have been so instrumental in our WHOLE family learning ASL.... and when I say whole, I mean all of us - when we get a new video, we all sit down and watch it, learning a new set of words in our new found language.

We never really set out to learn ASL, just enough to get us by until Eden learned to talk. Our mindset changed this summer though when Eden started signing and we were able to communicate with her for the first time. We bought a book - teach yourself to sign, but it was pretty much useless as Signing is a hands on language, and really, how much "signing" can you learn from a book? A video though, now thats a grand idea! Nevermind that it was intended for children, it has taught Josh and I so much of the language!

I know there are many theories behind teaching hearing impaired children to sign - and I've even had an SLP (speech pathologists) tell me not to sign to her b/c I will impair her auditory skills and her ability to speak, but I've seen the benefits of signing to Eden and how much it has helped her communicate what she wants and needs, and Oh, you should see her face when "signing time" comes on - it really is the most adorable thing you've ever seen - and then to see her "sign babble" with Alex and Leah (the two kids on the program) - its hilarious! LOVE IT!