March is “Reading Month” so I thought I would make my first blog post about reading and signing. As I tell all the parents and grandparents in my classes, it is important to have consistency and repetition when you are teaching your baby to sign. Reading books is a great way to provide that needed repetition for signing. Books also give you and your child quality one-on-one time as well as great snuggling time. Many of the books that I have listed below are ones that I read and/or still read to my daughter. I have placed the signing words in the parentheses. Some great signing books are:
What Shall We Do with the Boo-Hoo Baby? By Cressida Cowell - A really cute book about a crying baby and the cow, cat, dog and duck who try to make the baby happy by feeding him, bathing him, playing with him, and finally putting him to bed. (cat, dog, cow, duck, baby, eat, bath, sleep, play, sad)
Maisy Goes to the Playground By Lucy Cousins - Maisy the Mouse shows all of the fun things to do at the playground (slide, boat, water, swing, play, duck)
Blue Hat, Green Hat By Sandra Boynton - Four animals show items of clothing, but one gets it wrong each time (hat, coat, socks, shoes)
Moo, Baa, La La La! - I am a big fan of Sandra Boynton's books. This one is a fun, quick read (cow, sheep, pig, little, dog, cat, duck, horse). My 5 year old daughter just read this book to me last night – that was pretty cool.
Goodnight, Moon - This classic book by Margaret Wise Brown is a definite must-have for all families with young children, but especially for those signing families (moon, balloon, cow, bears, little, comb, light, socks, mouse, stars).
Look for more great signing books in future posts.
Print the coloring page for “Book” for your child.
https://www.babysigns.com/pdf/Sunshine_Book.pdf
Print out the “book” poster and use it in your child’s room or on your child’s book shelf. https://www.babysigns.com/pdf/Book.pdf
