One Family’s Story – Sign Language to Law School

One of the most wonderful gifts we get here at Two Little Hands is hearing how sign language has made a difference in families lives. We received this story from a family in Indiana and we had to share it with you. Thank you, Bob, for taking the time to share your story with us.

Sign Language at 3, to Law School, to Signing with Grandchildren

I wanted to tell you about what happened almost 40 years ago. My wife and I decided to take a signing class at our church.

One evening we were eating supper and our first daughter (less than 1-year-old) was sitting in her highchair at the table. We were looking at the food on the table and were signing each item to each other to practice. We noticed that our daughter was rubbing her hands together similar to what we were doing for cheese.

My wife asked her verbally, “Do you want some cheese?” She nodded enthusiastically and we gave her some. We then began teaching her other signs and she picked them up quickly. She could tell us she was thirsty, tired, or wanted a peanut butter sandwich, etc. Of course, she would sign to her friends who had no idea what she was doing. She didn’t start talking until she was 3 because, I guess, she didn’t need to.

An IQ test in first grade suggested she should be moved 4 grades up. We objected and homeschooled her.

She got a full-ride scholarship to law school, and I believe part of all this was due to her learning to sign so very young. She is a lawyer now with her own firm.

Here is a picture of our first daughter (on the right) teaching our second daughter how to sign.

By the way, learning to sign back then was not easy. Besides books from the library, which many times did a poor job of illustrating the sign, there really were few resources. Although it has been so long ago that we were interested in signing, I chanced upon your DVD’s in our local library one day. I checked a couple of them out and my wife and I enjoyed re-learning what we were once taught, but also learning so much more.  The way the Signing Time DVDs are set up is wonderful. We love Leah, Alex, and all the children in the videos learning a sign – and Rachel is an excellent teacher.  Whenever I am at the library I always pick up a couple of your DVDs along with the book I went there to get. Some DVDs we have seen more than once. Now some of our grandchildren will sit and watch a video or two with us.  They do pick it up fast.

These days, Signing Time, Baby Signing Time, and TreeSchoolers are available digitally so you can stream or download your kid’s favorite shows on your tablet or phone and watch anywhere – no wi-fi required!

We have a special offer for you – try out My Signing Time free for 14-days. For more detailed information, click here. To start your free trial today – click here. Cancel anytime. $9.99 per month after the trial is over.

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