Babes and Kids

It seems that Sign Language for babies is being more and more widely used. Parents are reaping the benefits of being able to communicate with their babies when they are young, which is actually very rewarding for the baby and the parent. Diane Ryan, the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Baby Sign Language is there to help parents achieve successful sign language. I tried signing with Chandler, but wasn't consistent. I didn't have any particular method, I just showed him the sign over and over. He didn't pick it up right away, so I became frustrated and just gave up. We have struggled with communication until about the last 6-7 months so it's been a long road. I really believe if I had kept trying to sign with him, communication would have come easier.
Generally speaking, babies who learn to sign speak sooner and have less frustration with communication. When we received this book, I was quite excited to give it a go with Rowan, now 16 months.

Pros: This book has a great introduction. It outlines what the fuss is all about, how you and your baby will benefit, and why and how it works. I think this is incredibly important. You need to know the benefits and why you should sign. Once you have some background, it makes it that much more motivating to do.
The second part of the book includes introducing signs, and my favorite part - teaching your baby to sign in 2 weeks! We have introduced the first three signs to Rowan, which are: more, eat and milk. (We are actually using drink instead of milk since he is a bit older.) We have been emphasizing "more" since it is a sign that babies easily pick up and according to the book is often their first spoken word. One thing that the book really emphasizes is consistency and making sure that all caregivers are signing. My DH is definitely on board and we are both making sure that we sign with Rowan. Often times, it seems when you start signing, you just sign. This book teaches you different techniques on how to actually teach a sign, which has been incredibly helpful. Another sign that I am really excited to start teaching Rowan is "pain." Once a baby learns this sign, they should be able to tell you where they are hurting or having pain. Nice, right? There are some great techniques outlined to teach this sign.
The next chapter focuses on teaching your baby to sign in 2 weeks. 2 weeks! Isn't that amazing? In order to do this, Diane suggests your baby be at least 11 months old. We started signing almost 3 weeks ago, and with the techniques outlined and a lot of consistency, Rowan has started signing more and eat. He signs more by clapping the tips of his fingers, but I bet he'll be doing it right in no time, and I'm impressed he's making an effort! He has only done both signs a few times and I was really hoping to get it on video, but we all know that babies do things on their own time and most times not on demand. I'm confident as time goes on, he will use both signs in his daily vocabulary.
The book has very clear, concise illustrations which are wonderful aids, and there are small tips throughout the book as well.
The next part of the book is about advanced signing and signing with toddlers. I've noticed Chandler has started to pick up some signs and looks quite proud of himself when he signs them. I think it's pretty cute too and love that he is learning a new skill.
As if this book isn't a good enough teaching aid, it also includes an appendix with FAQ's, dad's special rules, fun and games, and online resources. There is also journaling space in the back, which is nice to write down notes.
I think if I had read this book before signing with Chandler, I wouldn't have given up so easily with him.

Cons: I honestly have never read a book on baby sign language, so I don't have anything to compare this one to, but I don't have any Cons. The book is very well written, is concise and easy to understand, and has great illustrations, plus the techniques really work.

The Bottom Line: A wonderful book that will help you and your baby learn sign language. I would definitely recommend this if you want to start signing with your baby.

Where to Buy: Amazon - The Complete Idiot's Guide to Baby Sign Language, 2nd Edition

The book retails for $14.95, but I noticed you can get it for $10.12 on Amazon. Definitely worth every penny! It would make a great baby gift too.

Here's how to enter: (There will be 2 winners!)

Tell me why you think signing with your baby is important - 1 entry

Put me on your blogroll (text link) - 1 entry

Follow me - 1 entry

Blog or tweet this giveaway - 1 entry

Please leave each entry as a separate comment.

Giveaway is open to US & Canada residents and will close May 25 at 11:59 MST. I will contact winner and winner has 48 hours to reply or I will draw a new winner.

There are 5 books in the series which include:

The Hippocratic Press was founded by Dr. Charlotte Cowan.  She practiced for many years in Boston and noted  the different emotions and how children changed when they were sick.  She also noted how parents seemed to react the same way.  Many children and their parents didn't understand what was going on.   As taken from the Dr. Hippo website, this is how the Dr. Hippo series was born:

Pros:  These books are highly captivating. The illustrations are beautiful and the text is written so that a small child can easily understand it.   Chandler's favorite are:  The Moose with Loose Poops, and Sadie's Sore Throat.  The title in and of itself

Within the first few pages of the book, I couldn't believe how much I could relate.  One excerpt reads:

"Yes, shopping for a new baby can be a tremendous task.  Anyone who's ever walked into a baby superstore can relate to  the feeling of staring at a wall of 50 different car seats, each one indistinguishable from the next.  With the explosion of baby products on the market, the choices are endless, and it's hard to make an informed decision about every single item you need to purchase."

Wow, could I relate to this.  I remember the first time I walked into Babies R Us.  I wondered what I really needed and what brands were the best.  As I registered for my baby shower, I scanned everything and anything, completely oblivious to what I really needed.

One thing I really love about this book is the checklists.  It has checklists for things such as; the first six months, toddlerhood, nursery, getting out and about, and much more.  It tells you specific items you need at these stages and places and why.  

Another section that I was really impressed with was products for baby on the go.  This section focuses on car seats.  I have done so much online research on car seats, it's almost ridiculous.  This section gives general guidance, tips, features to look for, lifestyle considerations, and accessories.  Nice, huh?  Not to mention there are small pictures of different car seats so you know what they look like.  This is also a feature you see throughout the book - small pictures of baby items they suggest.  

At the end of each section there are notes for you to take.  I can really see how this would be helpful as you decide what gear you need.   The book is even compact enough and spiral bound, meaning it's easy to take along with you to the store and the spiral binding makes it easy to stay open to the page you need as well as more durable.  

In the back of the book, there is an index. Want to find out about co-sleeping?  Look it up in the index.  Questions about monitors?, the index has it.  At 176 pages, this book has mounds of information, but isn't so much that it is overwhelming.  It is well written, easy to understand, and covers everything about baby gear you would need to know.  I definitely think this would be a great gift for an expecting mom, or even a mom who's been there done that.  I don't consider myself an expert, but after 2 kids I'd think that I'm pretty well rounded.  This book gave me some new ideas for gear.  For example - a splash mat.  You put it on the floor to catch spills and food.  Helps save your back and your floors.  I notice giggle has one of these on their website.  I just might be getting it as I have two very messy eaters.

I also wanted to mention that Giggle has an awesome online store filled with great baby gear.  One stop shopping, right? 

Cons:  I don't have any complaints about this book.  I wish I had gotten it when I was pregnant with Chandler, but then again, according to the copyright, it's only been out since 2008.  Hopefully this book will be a big help for those of you looking for information on baby gear, or are looking for a baby gift.

The Bottom Line:  Very informative, well written book about baby gear. 

Price:  $19.95 and FREE shipping!

Where to Buy:  Giggle

Thanks to Giggle, here's your chance to win your very own copy of the Giggle Guide to Baby Gear!

(If possible, please leave an e-mail address for me to contact you at -  in your comment.)

Contest is open to US residents only and will end April 15th.  

Jo Frost is her name.  And she is amazing.  I marvel at the homes she goes into and how she turns these children around.  

Here is a little bio about her, from ABC:

As many of you know, my older little boy Chandler is constantly testing his limits.  He is a VERY free spirit and has been delayed a bit in his communication.  While he is catching up, we've had our fair share of power struggles trying to communicate.  Last year for my birthday, my sister gave me the Supernanny book:  How to Get the Best from Your Children.  At the time we were struggling with discipline and bedtime.  Chandler was extremely defiant and would get out of bed countless times at night.  He'd also scream if we didn't lay with him until he fell asleep.  I was ready to try anything, and so I embraced Supernanny's book with both arms.

Pros:  This book is great for kids of all ages.  It gives you an idea of what to expect from baby to preschoolers and beyond.  Supernanny has 10 rules that she lives by:

1.  Praise and Rewards

2.  Consistency

3.  Routine

4.  Boundaries

5.  Discipline

6.  Warnings

7. Explanations

8. Restraint (for the parent)

9. Responsibility

10.  Relaxation

I wish I could go more into detail, but there is so much in this book as it is over 200 pages.  One Supernanny technique we have implemented is the "Naughty Spot"  I have a whole post about it on my family blog.  You can check it out here.  We also used a bedtime technique that she suggests and it works wonders.  Other things that she focuses on in her book:  Dressing, Toilet Training, Eating, Social Skills, Bedtime, and Quality Time.  

A huge thing that has helped for us is consistency.  If we are consistent with our routine, praise, discipline, eating, etc - then our kids always know what to expect.  I could go on and on about this book, but you get the idea of how I feel about her theories.

Cons:  I can't find one Con with this book or her techniques. 

The Bottom Line:  Great book with great parenting techniques

Price:  $15.95

Where to Buy:  Any bookstore near you, Amazon