It's a Wrap!

As I reflect on this inquiry I am amazed at all I have learned and also what I still have to learn. I have encountered many wonderful resources through this process. I was very familiar with the Signing Time program as I watch the DVDs and read the board books with my daughter. However, I never fully looked at the website and resources they have available. I still feel like this program meets our needs the best, and will be returning for further investigation. I don't allow Emma to watch much television (and she really isn't interested) but I have found these DVDs to be beneficial for both of us to learn new signs. We watch them together so that I can talk to her about what we are seeing and immediately make the signs with her myself. Placing a child in front of a DVD is not using it as an instructional tool.  Studies show that "young children learn most through responsive interactions with their family members" (Vallotton, 2011). In order for the DVDs, that these programs offer, to be effective it is important to engage in the activities with the child so that it is understood what they are viewing, and so that you can reinforce the signs.  Furthermore, it is important to remember that the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend television for children under two years of age, and very limited amounts for older children.  So even though these DVDs are helpful for parents and children to learn sign language, they are not the complete answer to teaching baby sign language. They are a supportive tool, that should be used in moderation, with adult interaction. Vallotton writes that, "...the negative impact of extensive television exposure is likely due to a lack of interaction with parents, making it important for parents and children to view educational media together, to make it an interactive and responsive activity." Use the baby sign language DVDs as tools to teach and support the signs you use with your child, but don't expect them to babysit or turn your child into a signing wonder. 


The Signing Time videos are broken into subject area clips so that you can choose to just watch one or two and return for more later. This is nice because Emma's attention span is limited. We are able to complete a section but wait to watch more so that she does not lose interest. This inquiry has allowed me to investigate other signing programs. I will have to try the Baby Signs, and other programs, DVDs. I was previously unaware of most of the resources available. I now receive emails from three programs I have focused on during this inquiry.  They include signing activities, free sign language posters, articles and promotions.
I have learned the leading advocates of baby signing, and gathered research that I can use to help others teach baby signing and support my choice to sign with Emma.  


Baby sign language was important to me to investigate because I have really seen the advantages with my daughter and wanted to be more prepared to share the experience with others. I now have research, program options, and numerous resources to share, instead of just having my own personal thoughts. Barbara Stripling (2010) writes that "...inquiry is recursive and cyclical, with learners going back and forth between the phases of inquiry to resolve new questions and complexities as they arise." The information inquiry process has opened doors to new information and material. I did not have time to thoroughly investigate all the sources I encountered.  So now, as time allows, I can return to the inquiry process of questioning, exploring, assimilating, inferring, and reflecting to further my knowledge acquisition and information usage (Callison, 2006).