Just Deaf

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

Van Scheppingen family

Learning sign language

"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?

Can children learn sign language at school?

How can you learn sign language as a parent?

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

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."

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

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

"The sign language classes evolve alongside your child."

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

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

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

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

"Guus' first sign was MOMMY!"

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

"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."

Why is it important that parents learn sign language too?

"I learn all kinds of signs from Guus."