I'm really excited to share this little project I've been working on over the last few weeks. We've been trying to teach G a little baby sign language all along, but plateaued after standard words like milk, more, all done, and sleep at around 9 months. No excuses, we just didn't take the time to learn/remember all of the new signs ourselves to keep up with his ever-expanding mind. Now at 17 months, G is still only verbalizing a handful of words and communication has been getting more and more frustrating (one can only point and squawk so much), so we've been hitting the signs a little harder as we wait for him to spit out more words. To help all of us learn, I made flash cards of some commonly used objects:
I started off with a little photo scavenger hunt around the house, capturing some of his favorite foods, routines, and objects (the potty card is in hopes of getting a jump on next year's major milestone...if you know what I mean).
I then scanned/printed pages out of our baby sign language book and glued the corresponding words to the backs of the photos.To polish them off, I borrowed my mom's laminator. I made just 12 cards as a test batch, but I'm really happy with how they turned out and I'm glad I took the extra 5 minutes to laminate them. (I've already been wiping play doh and cheese off of them, tmi!) Also, a word of warning: laminating is highly addictive. I have plans to make dozens more flash cards, just so I can laminate them. Perhaps I should've been an elementary school teacher, because I just can't get enough of it!
Jessica, I love your creative ideas! I look forward to your new posts. On the topic of laminating, I also find it addictive. I laminate our Christmas card every year, punch a hole in the top and bottom, and string several together. My favorite use: any school project that has glitter! Lamination keeps the glitter inside.
ReplyDeleteJess, we taught our girls baby sign, too, and did a little more with each one - but still hit that plateau you mentioned. I wished with each one that we had done more! Your flash cards are a great idea! I have the Joseph Garcia book and quick guide, and you just may have inspired me to follow in your creative footsteps for Margaret to benefit from in a few months!
ReplyDeleteOh, goodness. I love them. Can you make me some, too? :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice Jess! Although I have to say, you probably weren't laminating with an ancient laminator that takes 60 seconds a sheet, plus your dominant hand in a cast [yes, that's my experience with laminating...light duty at work because of a sprained thumb]! :)
ReplyDeleteVery very cute! You are such a thoughtful Mommy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant, creative idea! I am going to try to make some fro my little one.
ReplyDeleteI am wondering if you recommend a certain book for teaching toddlers sign language. My 19th month old is not talking as much as we think she should and I'd like to start teaching her sign.
ReplyDeleteI am wondering what book you used. I am in the process of trying to find signing pictures like you have but am not having the best of luck finding pictures that are easy to understand how the sign works. The Dr. and I are concerned my son might be autistic since he is lacking verbal communication but he picks up signs like crazy. The flashcards will be nice for him but the goal is for me to learn fast enough to teach him!
ReplyDelete@Catherine: I used the simple pictures in this book. It's really easy to use and the pics were about the same size as my flashcards, which made it super easy:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Baby-Signing-1-2-3-Easy-Use/dp/1402209789/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1300818090&sr=8-1