Diary

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Jackie Pomeroy's Diary

After two years I finally have the funding to start teaching in Cornwall. As a mum of seven (all grown up now) I really wish I had had something like this when they were growing up! However, I now get to experiment on my grandchildren. Oliver is now two and a half and was a Babysign baby.  His vocabulary never ceases to amaze me, as does his comprehension of ideas and the way he communicates. Ruby however, hasn’t had the benefit of signing and the difference in their communication skills is glaring, however, it’ s never too late and she’s enjoying learning along with Poppy, the latest arrival. It’s great because I get to practice while finalising my own classes, which I hope to start very soon.

Sarah and Amelie's Diary

Babysigning is something I've wanted to do since before Amelie was born. I can't believe how quickly this year has gone and although I meant to start when she was 6 months old, Amelie is now 11 months . I've been assured that this is not too late and that Amelie will learn to sign quite quickly as she's an older baby. I'm going to record how we get on. I'm looking forward to the challenge.

Week 1
We began with the first 6 signs on the course, Milk, Dummy, Food, Sleep More and What. Amelie just giggles at me and claps her hands, mmm...perhaps this won't be as easy as I hoped.

Week One Signs Select a word and watch the video clip If you are experiencing difficulty viewing this video, download the latest version of Flash.

Week 2
Despite me forgetting to sign a few times it seems to be going well. I decided to encourage Amelie with the "more" sign. I couldn't find any healthy raisins so I used milk biscuits instead. I broke them up and offered the pieces one by one asking her if she wanted more, after a few times she did a sign. It didn't look like "more" but she definitely did something. I wanted to phone everyone I knew to tell them.

Week 3
When I asked Amelie if she was ready for bed she nodded and touched her head. Not a sign exactly but she really is trying. I'm feeling that signing is coming more naturally from me now and I'm sure that's why she's trying so hard.

Week 4
I was so shocked this morning as we woke up and it was raining so heavily that we could hear it on the windows. Amelie woke up and we looked out of the window as we pulled the curtain. Even before I'd said anything she signed "rain". I was so shocked because firstly, she's used a new sign but secondly she'd let me know what rain was. If it hadn't been for babysign she couldn't have told me and I wouldn't have known how clever she was.

Week 5
More more more! Hot hot hot! Drink drink drink! It's as if she can't stop signing. Fantastic, it feels like it's been a long time coming but it's great.

Week 6
Today Amelie asked if she could go to Grandma's house. She did the sign for Grandma and I asked if she wanted to go to Grandma's house and she nodded and did the sign again. My mum nearly cried when I told her it was so lovely, I can't believe we are communicating like this.

Week 7
We went to the baby gym and she signed that she wanted a drink. One of the Mum's I'd been sitting near asked me what she was doing and she was very impressed. She couldn't believe that Amelie is only a year old. I felt so proud of her.

Week 8
Well it's been a good couple of months now since we started to learn babysign. I have put a lot of effort into it - mainly because I'd been asked to write this diary- but it has been really easy. We have slipped into babysigning so easily. Amelie has a vocabulary of about 25 words so far, there might be more signs but these are the ones I know she uses regularly. She can sign:

We are adding to the list all the time. I am so pleased that we found out about babysign, it is a wonderful thing and it is so easy to learn. I've really enjoyed it and I would recommend the course to everyone.

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