Just Deaf

"Guus' first sign was MOMMY!"

Learning sign language

"It was a blessing in disguise, since we wanted to learn a new language anyway, and we enjoy it."

"In Norway they offer sign language to babies at school."

"We run into all kinds of situations where we're forced to use sign language. That's quite exciting."

"When Guus was three years old we were taught sign language at home."

How much language input is necessary for proper acquisition of a language?

Why is it important for children to learn sign language if they have a CI?

"When family counseling started, we were taking sign language classes."

How early should you start learning a (first) language?

Why is the first year of life so important for language acquisition?

"I learn all kinds of signs from Guus."

Why is it important to start learning sign language before your child gets a CI?

"The best response is when people ask: could we join you for one of those sign language classes?"

"I think it's good, learning sign language from both a hearing and a deaf teacher."

Is it difficult for parents to learn sign language?

"At the day care they watched the Lotte & Max DVDs with the children, and that's how they learned how to sign."

How can you learn sign language as a parent?

"I had to sign in public for the first time -- that was quite a big step."

"The sign language classes evolve alongside your child."

Why is it important that parents learn sign language too?

Can children learn sign language at school?