Just Deaf

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

Learning sign language

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

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

"I learn all kinds of signs from Guus."

Can children learn sign language at school?

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

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

Why is it important that parents learn sign language too?

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

Is it difficult for parents to learn sign language?

"The sign language classes evolve alongside your child."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How can you learn sign language as a parent?

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

"Guus' first sign was MOMMY!"