Signing Times

**Grace** · 03-27-2008, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by sparks19

A friend of mine did it with her son that has Down Syndrome and he learned 350 signs... WOW.

I volunteer at our local elementary school. There have been a couple of kids with Downs - and all of them learned Sign before speaking.

**Cataholic** · 03-28-2008, 09:10 AM

I didn't do it with Jonah, but, had a friend that did it a fair amount with her children. I think it is kind of more work than necessary. I could usually tell Jonah's signs of hunger, thirst, more, down, up pretty easily. He was what I would call a late talker, too.

I have heard some people say signing helps with the frustration that comes with not being able to articulate. Fortunately, Jones has a pretty high frustration level.

**lizbud** · 03-28-2008, 04:35 PM

I never heard of teaching sign to toddlers, but I'm sure most would
learn quickly. Children aren't given enough credit for their learning abilities.

**sparks19** · 03-28-2008, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by lizbud

I never heard of teaching sign to toddlers, but I'm sure most would
learn quickly. Children aren't given enough credit for their learning abilities.

Yeah they say that they can use sign earlier because they learn to master their hand movements and coordination before they learn to speak and master the use of their vocal chords I guess.

I just think it is a cool opportunity to start a second language that not a lot of people get the chance to learn in school or elsewhere

both for her and I