Just Deaf

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

Van Scheppingen family

Learning sign language

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

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

Why is it important that parents learn sign language too?

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

How can you learn sign language as a parent?

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

"Guus' first sign was MOMMY!"

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

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

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

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

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

"I learn all kinds of signs from Guus."

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

Can children learn sign language at school?

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

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

"The sign language classes evolve alongside your child."

Is it difficult for parents to learn sign language?

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