ASL vs. Gestures
There has been some controversy in the Deaf Community in regards to the validity of using “made up gestures” where no universal sign is used to represent certain words while communicating with babies outside of one family. Some approaches encourage using whatever sign your child invents to represent an object or a need. The difficulty tends to occur when a child attempts to communicate to another child who is using sign language or an adult who is not familiar with their chosen “sign”. Babies may then experience the same frustrations that occurred when not having a method to communicate with. ASL is easy to learn because it is a naturally iconic language, meaning many of the signs mimic the idea that is being communicated.
According to a University of Washington researcher, Ursula Hildebrandt , six-month-old hearing infants exposed to American Sign Language (ASL) for the first time prefer it to pantomime, lending new evidence that humans show a broad preference for languages over "non-languages". The study suggests that there is something interesting about language, both spoken and signed that captures the attention of babies.
Wee Sign instructors teach only ASL signs and may offer a universal alternative to signs that may be too difficult for babies to represent. All of our instructors must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in ASL before being allowed to teach a Wee Sign course. Parents need not be proficient in ASL to teach sign language to their child, they only need to be motivated to communicate with their child and willing to spend the time it takes practicing signs in their daily routines. Wee Sign Together courses make learning ASL fun and interactive through the use of songs, books and toys. |
