| Author |
Parenting & Farm Kids:  teaching kids ASL  |
|
|
PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 18 2008 : 9:30:17 PM
|
I have been teaching myself American Sign Language, so I started teaching Tate, who's almost 4, some signs. He's catching on very quickly and knows 5 signs already, after only a week! Sully, who's 22 months understands a few signs and they both try to do them. Tate is more interested in learning his alphabet since I started going over it with signs. He thinks sign language is so neat. I have read on the internet that a lot of homeschoolers are teaching ASL to their children as a second language, which I had never known until I looked up ASL for myself to learn. My hearing has been steadily getting worse since grade school, and in the past 5 years or so, I have had an increasingly hard time hearing people speak. I am also having a lot of ringing and buzzing. Unfortunately, I can't hear low tones, which is rare. So of course hearing aids are made for people who can't hear high pitches, so they would not work for me. So I made the decision to learn ASL and if my kids learn it too, it should make my life a little easier. Especially with their soft little voices!
http://plumcreekmama.blogspot.com/
http://plumcreekcreations.etsy.com |
|
|
Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2008 : 05:31:50 AM
|
| Good plan, Heather. I know you are mainly thinking about your own need to communicate in the family, but something to think about for the future too...there are a lot of careers involving ASL and services for the deaf (lots of federal funding). So it's a good language for any kid to learn. |
 |
|
|
gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2008 : 07:46:37 AM
|
Both my daughters have taught their girls signs for thank you drink eat please more, all done and at 9 months you can actually know what they needed. It is so neat. I as the gramma even caught on quickly.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
|
|
|
Homespun Livin
True Blue Farmgirl
409 Posts
Brenda
Louisiana
USA
409 Posts |
Posted - Nov 20 2008 : 7:25:53 PM
|
Heather,
See if you can locate the dvd's or videos titled Signing Time by Rachael Coleman. These are AWESOME for teaching young children ASL!! I borrowed them from my library and even I learned quite a lot. Yes, ASL is considered a second language and can receive college credit for it. You have lots of possibilities available if you become proficient at it. What are you using to teach yourself?
"Love one another." |
|
|
|
PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
Posted - Nov 20 2008 : 9:47:01 PM
|
I am using the lessons at www.lifeprint.com and I also bought a book at Barnes and Noble the other day. I really am enjoying learning and Tate thinks it's so neat. His grandparents were very surprised that he is learning ASL. It makes me a lot less worried about my hearing knowing the boys are learning. Now if I could just get hubby to learn!
http://plumcreekmama.blogspot.com/
http://plumcreekcreations.etsy.com |
|
|
|
Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2008 : 05:13:40 AM
|
I'm glad you are learning sign language! I have a deaf son who is 22 and my hubs still does not know that much sign language. They have their own method of communication though, and sit and talk all the time(and usually crack each other up!) I like aslpro.com. It has a video feature that shows how the sign looks to the receiver. It's a very good website. There are different areas on it for quizzes, conversational signs, etc. and it is challenging enough to keep you interested.
Happy signing!
Karin
Farmgirl Sister
# 18 :)
www.perfectlittlemiracle.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
OregonGal
True Blue Farmgirl
511 Posts
Chris
No. IL
USA
511 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2008 : 1:58:48 PM
|
I have a son who is 30 and was born deaf, so I have been the sign language route also. My dd is teaching her
baby sign language and she's learning fast, knows quite a few signs (she signs MILK for when she wants to nurse) its
so sweet to see the little ones signing. I'm very sorry about your hearing loss, that's a tough one, my heart goes
out to you. Keep searching for help - a cause for the loss and how to minimize the loss. Bless you and many prayers
for you as well. |
|
|
|
PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2008 : 2:42:03 PM
|
Thank you, Chris. My hearing has been going since early grade school, but it has just gotten bad in the past few years. I'm not really worrying much about it, I just want to be prepared. I always wanted to learn ASL, this just gives me a reason to get off my butt and do it. Mom and I were talking about my hearing, and she said my dad hearing has been going and recently it has started to get bad. His mom, my grandma, is almost completely deaf, though I don't know if it's just old age or not. There's not much I like to do that I would have to give up if I go deaf completely, so I guess it's not so bad! Things could definitely be worse!
http://plumcreekmama.blogspot.com/
http://plumcreekcreations.etsy.com |
|
|
|
happymama58
True Blue Farmgirl
1210 Posts
Patti
Missouri
USA
1210 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2008 : 2:56:08 PM
|
PlumCreekMama, I'm not sure who told you that hearing aids are intended for help with certain tones, but that's not accurate. I am incredibly hard of hearing and need hearing aids, but insurance won't pay for them. Until I get fired for lack of hearing, neither will the govt agency I called.
However, I've been to two different hearing specialists in the last 6 years, and both told me that hearing aids can be adjusted very specifically, so that one tone is amplified and the one right next to it is not. I was also told that while extreme tones at either end or a bit trickier, all tones can be adjusted for.
Check into this again, and talk to someone who is a doctor, not just a technician at a hear aid place. If you've talked to a doctor, get a second opinion. Good luck!
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
Please email me for all your BeautiControl needs! |
|
|
|
Homespun Livin
True Blue Farmgirl
409 Posts
Brenda
Louisiana
USA
409 Posts |
Posted - Nov 21 2008 : 8:09:17 PM
|
Heather,
I meant that the Signing Time dvd's would be something that your children would enjoy and learn even more from. They see other kids signing and having fun while learning important asl signs. I will have to check out lifeprint.com . One of my children was a very late talker due to constant ear infections. The doctors didn't feel tubes were ever necessary. I wish someone would have clued me in to children and asl back then. It would have saved us both alot of struggles. I feel like we can still benefit from it though even now. My husband has hearing loss due to working around loud machinery. He won't go have it checked out. He isn't interested in learning asl and he doesn't feel like he has a problem. I still keep encouraging him though. I really do hope you will be able to find a hearing aid that will be of help to you. Keep up the great work!!
"Love one another." |
|
|
|
PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2008 : 3:41:05 PM
|
Patti- it was a doctor who told me. He said if I got hearing aids it would help me hear low tones better, but the high tones would be so loud and painful. This was three years ago, though, so maybe progress has been made since. I have an appointment on Tuesday.
Brenda- I'll have to see if my library has those dvds. Tate is seldom interested in watching tv, but you never know. He may find it fun!
http://plumcreekmama.blogspot.com/
http://plumcreekcreations.etsy.com |
|
|
| |
Parenting & Farm Kids: teaching kids ASL |
|
teaching kids ASL
