Just Deaf

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

Van Kampen-Bolier Family

Learning sign language

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

"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."

Can children learn sign language at school?

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

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

Why is it important that parents learn sign language too?

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

"Guus' first sign was MOMMY!"

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

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

"The sign language classes evolve alongside your child."

"I learn all kinds of signs from Guus."

How can you learn sign language as a parent?

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

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

Is it difficult for parents to learn sign language?

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

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

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