Is sign language talking?

I used to be a special education teacher. We had mentally impaired deaf children to work with. We found sign language really did help them to communicate. It certainly is communicating. Yes, it's talking. I would continue to encourage her to talk whenever possible, by pairing up the verbal word with the sign. That way they don't get too dependent on just the signs. But I think what you are doing is great! Keep up the good work.

She's talking already. In a years time you'll be wondering why you were worried and will be trying to find her "off" button. I think she's very very smart. How many 2 year olds know sign language? Not many. She's quick and talented and she's 2.

I think it is wonderful that she is learning sign language, but just as much emphasis should be put on speaking as well. They say that it is best to teach someone different languages at young ages, so why not sign language. I also am hoping that you are teaching her the official sign language and not made up sign language as I can't see how that would do her any good. But teaching her sign language as well as regular speach I think is a good thing. Just make sure she does not hibitually use sign language constantly as she is speaking this could become a bad habit.

Good job. It's a skill. A 2nd language.

My child (14 mo) is learning sign, I'm teaching her some signs. What program are you using? And yes, it is COMMUNICATING. It sometimes isn't recognized as a foreign language, but it is communicating and a "form of communication". It isn't talking, but it communicating needs, so I think it is a good thing for children to learn. My oldest daughter points for things she wants. It is working! I'm so proud of her! If she points for sippy cup- she gets it. YAY! I'm so proud!

Sign language is a form of communication between those who can't understand one another for whatever reason. There's absolutely nothing wrong teaching your daughter sign in addition to the spoken language...as long as she learns the spoken language properly and doesn't confuse it with the 'vocabulary' of sign. (Many words do not have a sign...or sentence structure...so, as long as she's able to hear and speak out loud, it's ompirtant to teach her how to communicate proper;y in each language.) I see this as no different than bi-lingual families who teach their children two languages while growing up. The main thing is being able to understand each other...and make what is being 'said' understandable to other around her. It gives her one step up on others and could even lead to a career for her once she reaches adulthood.

I think it's absolutely wonderful, Paul, that you're teaching your little girl sign language.........good grief....why would anyone say such a dumb thing like that? I used to teach handicapped pre-schoolers, and signing IS talking and is a language.........it sounds like your little one WILL both talk and be able to sign! There are many, many people who both sign and speak!
Please don't worry, or get upset, about that. Sometime I would love to learn how to sign.....think it would be so much fun!

This is wonderful! Your daughter is already bi-lingual. Sign language will be an asset to her throughout her life. I'm sure she is not at all confused or delayed. She may be surprised when other people don't sign back, but she will get used to that. Keep teaching her, Paul!

I knew a deaf couple whose children could hear. Those kids could sign and speak before they were two years old. Their signing skills have helped them get very good jobs.

Sign language is most certainly talking, and it's an excellent skill to teach your child. It not only helps with social skills and development, it also gives them the chance to not have any barriers when meeting children who are deaf.

Sign language is going to be a great asset to your child when she is older. I applaud you for teaching it to her. I am teaching my kids as well. I am even taking college level sign language to get myself more fluent! Ignore the person who said it is not talking ... its communicating and very effective! =)

I'm with the others. It certainly is talking. I first saw a baby communicate via sign language at a church dinner. The baby, a little girl of only 8 months, was able to communicate her needs and wants quite well. Very impressive. As one who worked in day care (years ago when my son was young...and he just turned 25!), I saw the frustration that babies and toddlers have when they want to communicate and cannot. Using sign language gives them the ability to do that. Good for you!

Heck yeah it is talking and pfffft! to the naysayers.

All 3 of my kids were/are late talkers. My middle child was off the charts in signing - he was so good and had a huge vocabulary! And just like someone else commented- I *SO* wish he had an off switch now. He is the one who talks incessantly! I mean even if no one is listening or around.

Now the 20 month old has about a dozen or so and is just now starting to talk. One eval she had she did not qualify for services. I called back a few months later and they were using a different standardized test that did not count signing at all and she qualified for services.
Basically it is a refresher course for me each visit - things I had forgotten I should be doing (like doing alot of sound effects "moooooo says the cow" etc) and her speech is improving.

Unfortunately stubborness is coming into play. Now when I insist she do a sign (like drink before I hand her a drink) she will shake her head and decline to do it. I'm a mean mommy and make her do it, though. She eventually does.

Stick to your guns- you know what works best for your family and just smile when folks try to offer "advice".

Of course it is talking.
My two year old grand daughter only says about thirty words. She's been tested and everything is fine, she just has no interest in talking. She has a speech therapist come out a few times a week and this is helping her.
Thank goodness insurance pays for it, I would imagine it's very expensive. Her mother didn't talk until about two or a little after. She had a very limited vocabulary, "happy, happy, happy" was a favorite phrase, LOL. Well, anyway, she went on to graduate from Penn State on scholarships!

Yes, its talking! Its a form of communication! I use sign language for my daycare children and its so much easier to communicate with them when they can not verbalize what they want.