It’s amazing how fast they grow up.  It’s been so fun doing sign language with another baby.  So far he recognized about 10 signs and he can actually sign: up, all done, more, and eat. 

And can you believe this little guys walking!  He has to keep up with the other two.

Andrea Ploehn 

Ben started signing up at 8 months and more at 9 months old.  Here are some great video clips so that you can see some examples of the very first attempts of a baby using sign language.

Okay, I know I’m a little late getting this post together, well ridiculously late… but I forgot I had these videos… so here you go.  We had such a great time over Thanksgiving.  We spend time each year with my dads family and it’s pretty much turned into our family reunion.  This year we had over 90 people!  It was my parents turn to host… so we had to do something fun.  My brother came up with the idea to rent sumo suits, if you’ve never done it, you should.  I couldn’t stop laughing.  I know it’s not really a traditional Thanksgiving type thing to do, but I think people will at least remember this one.  Have fun watching some of my family members fumble around in fat suits!

This is my husband and brother-in-law.

This is me and my sister.

Andrea Burton Ploehn

This was the first day he decided to start walking… I was a little excited, he was only 8 months old!

click here

Here are some great basic signs to do with Annie

Please, Dad, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma, More, All Done, Again, Sorry, Help.

We had so much fun learning about street signs.  We made cars out of boxes and then we made street signs with craft sticks and craft paper.  The kids learned their colors and shapes and had fun taking turns driving around while the remaining kids were in charge of traffic control.  The kids also got a paper to take with them in the car that had many other street signs that they might see around the city.  They get to put a sticker on the sign when they see it while they’re driving in the car.

Annie my 5 year old was recording me, so sorry if it’s a little bumpy. And I’m not sure why it sounds like I have a lisp… I had to convert the file size so it wouldn’t take so long to load. I’ll try to add better video later, but for now… at least you’ll have something to work with.

This type of activity can also incorporate sign language.  Here are the signs for: Green, Go, Yellow, Slow, Red, Stop, Car, Bus, and Motorcycle.

You can also play red light green using the signs.

Andrea Burton Ploehn, co-founder www.signing4baby.com

Some of these great ideas came from a signing 4 baby friend Kathy Collins www.joyfulconnections.net
Thanks Kathy

This is my deaf cousin Rafael. He’s one of the main reasons I started to learn sign language as a kid. I have always been fascinated with sign language because it is such a beautiful language.

Andrea Ploehn

Annie Teaching Food Signs


Bread, Apple, Orange, Milk, Cracker, Cereal, Cookie, Banana, Carrot, Eat, Cheese, Ice Cream

Here are my beautiful older children teaching my 11 week old sign language. It’s so fun to get the whole family involved.

Andrea Burton Ploehn