Started signing with my son 4 months ago - we're both hearing, but he is a late-talker and I was looking for ways to communicate with him. It is so amazing! His little world opened up to me, he knows over 200 signs already (starting from the essentials to more abstract signs), he tells me about everything he can see or imagine. And the bonus: he actually started using more words, saying the word and signing at the same time, just like I do it for him. So I definitely wouldn't be worried about your baby's ability to pick up both languages at the same time.
Loved watching this! I am glad my Mom taught me ASL when I was little since she taught for the school for the deaf and I have always been hard of hearing most of my life but the last ten years I lost almost all my ability to hear human voices, listen to TV or radio, enjoy movies, and use a telephone but I regained all that and more since having right sided cochlear implant surgery on September 6, 2019 and hoping someday to maybe have my left ear done too. I knew a little bit of Korean too since that is where I was adopted from 36 years ago (I came to America exactly 36 years ago on October 28th). When my nephew was little they taught him some signs and my Mom and I taught him some signs too and it was fun watching him sign more and all done but we knew what he meant though and he will be a big brother in March 2020 a month after he turns 3 years old in February 2020.
Yes teach your daughter to sign with simple words. I'm hard of hearing all my life but I am deaf. I taught my both sons when they were babies. I let them know that their parents (me and my husband) were deaf. I fed them and talked to them with sign language. I showed them, for example, the word book and showed the sign for book.
I learned the manual alphabet by myself from a book in 1976, when I was 10. I just thought it was cool. Then I taught it to my mom, who taught kindergarten. From then on until she retired, she taught it to all her classes along with the alphabet song. She just did it; it wasn’t in the curriculum. You could always tell which kids had Mrs. S. for kindergarten. 🙂 We didn’t know any actual ASL, but just having the alphabet, just KNOWING sign language is a thing, was good for those kids. I think all schools should teach that. (My friends and I used to “talk” in class using the alphabet, so maybe not a good use but we did get pretty proficient!) One time one of her students went to a beach house for the summer after kindergarten, and there was a girl in the house next door who was the same age, but Deaf. Her (hearing) mother was anxious about it, I think, but she brought her over to introduce and explain. And mom’s student instantly pointed to herself and spelled out MAGGIE. The two mothers both cried. The two kids ran off together and by the end of the summer, Maggie was a fluent signer. So just having that one piece, the start of communication, made all the difference in the world. Maggie’s mom stopped by my mom’s classroom the beginning of the next school year just to tell her about it. She was very proud of her daughter and very grateful to my mom. (Maggie’s mother hadn’t even known she had learned it; she was completely shocked when Maggie just popped out with the letters.) It would be great if schools taught some ASL also, but the alphabet is so easy to learn and is a whole lot better than nothing.
I'm actually surprised those questions would be asked. How could you raise a child who couldn't communicate with a parent? I hadn't even thought about your daughter being a coda. I think she will be very lucky, not only to have great parents, but know asl from birth! So much easier to learn when you have a new, fresh brain instead of an old stale one. 😄 This is so exciting!
In addition! My son and I are hearing. He learned 250 signs before his 2nd birthday. He didn't have any issues speaking but both his singing and speech exploded ahead of schedule as I continued to sign as I spoke to him. Your daughter will do very well! He is 13 now and we still use ASL all the time! So fun!
I have 6 children! We are all hearing but I started teaching them ASL as toddlers and it did not hinder their speech in any way! All 6 of them spoke early and they all spoke very well :)
That’s the reason my boyfriend is scared to even have kids. I love watching your guys videos and relationship, could always use some advice on the cultural differences challenges
Aww really? Have you two talked about those things more? I think in general having kids can be a bit scary but I am also super excited about it :) -Courtney
I learned to how to sign before I learned to speak. But my hearing parents didnt know I was born profoundly deaf until I was few months old. But I am glad that I am deaf!
Love this! Love ASL and the Deaf Culture. When will you find out if your daughter is deaf or hearing? So happy for you guys and I know for a fact she will never be bitter about learning ASL and being involved in the Deaf Culture.
Learning ASL and I love love your channel. It was challenging to make out the signs because the back ground wall is light and your sweater is light. Just a heads up. You may want to wear a dark shirt so that the contrast will allow your viewers to more easily see each sign. Big congrats so happy for y'all. Blessings! Again love your channel!!!
@@OurSignedWorld Oh you are fine :) But I figured I should say something otherwise you would have never known :) So looking forward to your future videos with your new addition!! I will be able to share your channel with parents of deaf babies/children as that ministry is so important. Deaf/HOH children deserve to have equal access on every level especially language/communication. I am hearing but want to help fight for their rights!
I babysit and I try to encourage the kids that refuse to talk or to use their words to use simple signs to indicate what the need and it often works better than words! Some kids struggle to convey their thoughts in to speech so sign helps them a lot! There is a line tho, their speech development can completely stop if you you don’t try and get to get them to use their words first before signing because most kids find signing easier and will completely stop speaking all together
I took ASL 1&2 in college, and what was really cool was that the instructor herself was Deaf. It was an amazing experience!!!! I still know and can use some of the signs but it's been awhile and i haven't practiced in awhile. But watching your vlog makes me want to get back into learning again. Congrats on your pregnancy Courtney, and Zack! Xoxo
@@OurSignedWorld I don't have a twin sister, and I don't have a brother named Jamie. I thoroughly enjoyed learning ASL for sure, it was a really cool experience... I should get back into it, hopefully someday I'll get back into learning more. I mean, I do still remember some signs, and how to finger-spell still, I used to have all of my text books from the class, but ended up losing all of my stuff when I lost my apartment a year ago :(
I made a friend in culinary school and she is deaf so I told her that in winter semester I will be taking sign language class so when we see each other again in spring semester I will be able to communicate with her . And anyone else who is deaf at my college
@@OurSignedWorld thanks it will also help in the culinary field as well and I want to be able to make culinary accessible for people with disabilities I have autism , and adhd and my deaf friend was the only person who gets me in the program I'm apart of at my college some of the chefs don't even know how to sign to make the culinary program deaf accessible . I found your channel because if I find someone who is deaf and I want to date them I want to be able to communicate with them and not let there be a gap. The instructor I found is deaf at my college how would I say good afternoon to him on the first day of semester I do not know any sign language except how to sign knife
My children both signed before they could speak and it was natural for them to go back and forth from talking to signing. They didn’t even think about it. My children are hearing and I am deaf. 😃
If you speak the words while signing them, then your child will be learning both simultaneously. I would think that it would be important for her to also be spoken to (along with signing) from birth, so that she will grow up being fluent in both. In many families where the parents are each more fluent in their native language, each parent speaks only their native language to their child from infancy... that way their child can differentiate between each language & become fluent in both. Because she will learn speaking only from you, it seems important that you speak to her consistently from infancy. You & your husband have a wonderful advantage, in that both languages may be presented to your daughter simultaneously...each reinforcing the other. You show her a book, etc., then sign "book", while speaking the word. Just my opinion as a former teacher of young children. I just discovered you channel & love it.💗
I can't believe she would refuse to sign because you will sign with her and signing is easier than speaking. I'm as also confident that she will learn English as well as when to speak it with your hearing friends and family. I'm thinking you may use English as well for some things we almost reflexively say in English: Yes! No! Stop! Ouch, etc. I am hard-of-hearing with otosclerosis. I started signing at 13 just because I loved it. God bless you all!
I'm not an expert, but I was under the impression that being bilingual was an advantage to mental growth and development. They learn to communicate better and expand their capacity to understand things in different ways.
Do you guys have a name for her? Or a list of names you are debating? Courtney- would you simcom around her ever or just stick to one or the other? Will you guys look for a school that has both English speaking teachers and ASL teachers? Pardon all the questions, I’m just genuinely curious about a lot of stuff 💜💜💜💜
My sister-in-law is pregnant and is also due April 2nd! It's my first niece/nephew (they aren't finding out the sex). I plan to teach them little signs whenever I'm around and see what they can pick up on! Will you guys be doing a birth vlog?
I find it hard to believe too that she will refuse to sign to communicate with her dad. I mean she may get upset one day when she is a teenager and decide not to sign back when y'all are disciplining her but for her to just stop signing when that's the only way to talk to her dad I don't think would ever be a problem. Especially if they have a strong father-daughter relationship. I plan on getting my fiance and our daughter to have once a month father and daughter day because I am going to be a stay at home mom and he will work so it's so important for us for her to spend time with her father as much as possible. My fiance truly loves our little girl and he wants the best for her to him she is a second chance.A chance to be better than who he was so he works very hard every day to get things in order for when she born.
You are an adorable couple every time I think of teaching a baby sign language I think of the movie Meet The Fockers starring Ben Stiller where he is visiting his father in law and they're watching their grandson and teaching him sign language so cool to see babies/toddlers communicate in sign language you are amazing at sign language Courtney a real professional!!!
I loved watching this. It's funny how zach was hoping the baby picked up English and ASL equally. My husband is French and I'm Australian. We live in Berlin. So our children grow up trilingually. There's never been a problem. They go through phases of being stronger in one than another. Then it swaps around again. After their French grandmother visits for a week, their French gets a real push. At the moment they're 7 year old twins. He's strongest in English and French. It swaps around which one. And he reads in English and German. She reads in English and German and is strongest in those 2. Kids can learn lots of different languages when people are clear and consistent.
Love this! My deafness is genetic so I can possibly pass it on to my children but for me no matter if they are deaf or hearing I plan to speak and sign, so they hear what I'm saying and also see what I'm saying. I only learnt sign a couple of years ago and I have to say there's nothing cuter than babies signing!
My 16 years old sister is trilingual and she’s amazing sister I ever had and no one would replace her. She speaks Spanish, English, ASL. She picked everything up quickly as she grew up. My parents come from Mexico so of course they would speak Spanish to my sister. Then I’m deaf and of course I would teach her ASL. But what about English? Well I assume that she went to a good school and she acquired spoken English there. Every school in United States use spoken English. Correct me if I’m wrong about using spoken English in schools. I don’t mean to give wrong information. Back to my sister, she’s fluent in three languages and I’m proud of her. :) I don’t see why you should be worried about your daughter learning spoken English. Your daughter is going to be amazing and fluent like my sister ❤️
Hey guys, we've been teaching our daughter sign language since she was born. Her mom is deaf and I'm hearing. Her sign for mom is her index finger pointing to then chin and dad pointing at the top of her head
I think people are not understanding that ASL will be her first language, just like if a baby is born into a hearing family they will use the language the family uses with them.
There will come times when your kid can refuse to look at you, speak to you etc, if my hearing kid is an example. Like, shut their eyes, ears and turn away /run away. I think it's pretty normal in developement. Or test you by standing behind furniture, voicing instead of signing, yelling from another room and other silliness. Especially when they are surrounded by non-signers and Hearing culture a lot.
I feel like that "what if she refuses to use sign question" is ridiculous 😆 first of all, there are a million what ifs when it comes to parenting and also just life in general. But worrying about the what ifs don't do anyone any good. You're both going to be great parents and set a good example and learn and grow as you go. Isn't that what everyone is doing?! Parenting or not! We're all just learning as we go.
Would you be disappointed if your baby was born deaf? Which I think the answer would be no, but I was just curious because her mom is Hearing but her Dad is deaf so I just wonder if she will be born not hearing and if you would be a little sad not being able to communicate with her by voice. If it would be a little sad to not share that with her. I’m so excited to see her. I love your channel ❤️ it’s very calming for me to watch you sign. You guys are inspirational and just amazing and I know you’ll be awesome parents ❤️❤️❤️
@@OurSignedWorld I was born deaf and I had 3 ear surgeries when I was a toddler. and I just wonder if my mom would've been sad if I never heard her voice. AMD THANK YOU so much for answering:)
i used to be a nanny for a little boy that didnt speak. He could hear. He was just delayed with speech. His parents had such a hard time communicating with him until I started teaching him some signs. Now, Im not proficient in ASL BY FAR but teaching a child "milk" and "play" and "water" can save your soul before a meltdown strikes! When he finally was ready to talk he had the clearest sentences but would still sign basic stuff to me. Also - is your registry up to date? I know baby Madison is here so your needs may be a bit different...
Check out The Stews, they are another deaf and hearing couple. They have a little bit and they are expecting baby #2 soon. Jill just posted a 27 week update. They have done vlogs about using ASL with their son, and maybe they'll do another language update soon, or maybe you can talk to them about it! 🙂
I'm learning ASL bc of my grandmother she's HOH, I didn't know before that's bc I don't get to see her as much. So I want to be able to chat with her, that is why ASL is cool 🤟
Hi, Wow that's interesting! Sound nice yes it's important feel connected with your child when Asl and English that lead future will sucess and strength both in the world. And know that your baby shower due by April 2 right? Same my birthday I was birth wow it fantastic! And I very looking foward your journey future with your child!
I have always wanted to learn how to sign, although I do not know anyone who is deaf or knows how to sign. I enjoy hearing your story. I think learning ASL would be beneficial to me in the future! Courtney, how did you learn and where do you recommend me starting?
Hello C & Z,... He birth earlier 27 weeks. We have CODA son which we teach him when he was 1 year learned 3 signs language. His first word said tried mom on chin with one finger also we tried teach him sign 🤟 he said (L) later grown up young spelling errors we changed him to correct way. Now Improved better when we go appt. the office depend him I told him Don't that's not his responsibility that's Office responsible to get an certificate interpreter for us. I appreciate he is act likely Deaf but really he's hearing. 👍🤫😉
Just started following you not long ago.. Probably right when you got pregnant I think. We live in San Diego (didn't realize you're in So Cal until this video) and my husband is severely hard of hearing and I am hearing. I am curious what devices you'll use to assist Zach with the baby. I did a little research on the subject back in 2015 but didn't find much so I took over everything regarding night diaper changes/wakes, etc. Any special devices you've discovered that will help him? We have Deaf friends who tell stories of their dead parents who would just sleep with a hand on baby or arm in crib all night to feel movement if they wake.
Firstly congratulations to you both secondly i think its great that your child will know both English and ASL i do have one question or maybe 2 is the grammar structure of ASL different from spoken english ? I'm an Aussie and i know Australian sign language (im not deaf nor is it anyone in my family i just wanted to learn it when i was a teenager many many years ago i then used it in the workplace with deaf coworkers ) and its grammer is different from English so i was just wondering only 1 question then sorry this is soooo long
Some of my friends decided to make their home a sign only zone (regardless of which parent was there), then only sign when both both parents together, and anywhere else speech if that makes sense.
I have a question. My step dad is hard of hearing do to military. He uses an amplifier but it doesn’t help. Hearing aids are super expensive. He didn’t use one until my daughters were born. The first time he used one he heard my oldest walking and talking for the first time and cried. I’ve tried to learn sign and teach them but I’ve found it hard because i don’t really know if I’m signing correctly. My girls are now 3 & 4. My 3 yr old daughter was also hard off hearing due to fluid behind her ear drum. Which also causes speech delay. So I tried learning more signs. Her speech teachers kept telling me to stop signing. I didn’t. Now that she’s speaking we don’t use our sign a lot😕. How can we find ways to learn sign language? Do you have any recommendations. I’ve always been in love with ASL. I’m glad you all will be teaching your daughter both English and ASL
Courtney, what would it be like if you used both your voice and sign at the same time with baby? Is that possible? Would baby get equal exposure that way? (I’m not in the Deaf culture so I don’t know the answer I’m just curious!)
It’s not beneficial. The reason is that sign language and English have very different grammatical rules and structure so using both at the same time, one is bound to “suffer” which for English speakers it’s typically the sign that lacks.
Of course! My son, Miles, was spotlighted on Sorenson and Seek The World, which you can see the video here: facebook.com/seektheworld2015/videos/846543102448306/ I'm profoundly deaf and my wife is hearing, we both have a hearing son that we have been going through the same as you both said in the video two years ago. We are amazed at how quickly our son learned sign language before his voice development. His voice was mumbling and wasn't very clear but his signings make it so easy for both of us where we are able to communicate with him and know what he really needs. I'm looking forward to seeing more videos from you both and your journey as a parent. If you have any questions, ask us anytime! We have another baby due on March 28, a few days before yours. I agreed with Zach that he doesn't want the baby to arrive on April Fool's Day! Our first one was five days after our due date so we are not sure when our second one will arrive. Ha! Good video! Looking forward to seeing your next one!
I’ve noticed that there are two different signs for “sign”. What is the difference between them? The one where the fingers rotate in a circle and the one where the hand closes and opens. Sorry if I’m not explaining well
I'm guessing someone has told you this already, but I thought of you and your growing family when I heard this. Apparently, the new American Girl Doll of the year for 2020 is the first doll of the year to have hearing loss. Her storyline explains that she was born deaf in one ear and has a hearing aid. th-cam.com/video/70tqGIPOQkc/w-d-xo.html
HI i think if the mum is hearing child might too but it depends. due to the language i think you are the parents so your child with speak whatever you will teach hhim or her , i think if courtney is hearing then you should use ur voice while you sign to her or him so they can learn both easly ?
As a mother of a teenage daughter I promise that Even if she does grow up to be rebellious... she'll still sign to you those little smart mouthed teenaged talking back comments.
OurSignedWorld I think it would be cool! You should totally incorporate your baby as she grows up similar to the way ASL Nook does it! A good learning experience for everybody!
I will sometimes, not often though. It’s impossible for both languages to be accurate and correct when using them at the same time due to them having completely different grammar and syntax
How do you know if baby girl will be hearing or not? I know they do a hearing test shortly after birth but you are already talking about her as if you know for sure she will be able to speak/hear
@@OurSignedWorld Aren't 85% of the babies that are born deaf have parents that are both hearing? I've read about that so many times while studying deaf culture.
You said they have a very social life but your daughter is born in Corona times... I cannot believe that that was not even a thing 9 months ago! How the world has changed
Someone actually asked if you're going to teach your own language to your kid? Such a strange question. Like, of course you have to! How else are you going to talk to each other? And be part of the ASL and Deaf culture?
It's too funny ( or not), ppl always want to learn curse words. I refuse to tell. I found out my son taught his friend a bad word and he got in BIG trouble! So did she!!! 1😂🤣 I still tell my GROWN son NOT to do that! He KNOWS BETTER than to try that in front of me! So does his beautiful wifey! There are TOO MANY nice words to learn! God bless you again, Courtney and Zach! I just got on social media again, and only today found out that you were pregnant. -- I am @bubbie_dubbie I am a grandmother of TWO babies; siblings, born 9 months apart. My grandson was born 3 months early. He is doing GREAT, as is his big sister! They have both had several hearing tests, because we have a very strong genetic background of deaf and/or early onset progressive hearing loss. Honestly, I have to say, "Whatever happens, happens." God is SO GOOD! HE is never failing. My son never let it keep him down. Byeeeeeeeeeeeee! Sorry for the NOVEL! 🤣🙏🏼☝🏼🙌🏼
Started signing with my son 4 months ago - we're both hearing, but he is a late-talker and I was looking for ways to communicate with him. It is so amazing! His little world opened up to me, he knows over 200 signs already (starting from the essentials to more abstract signs), he tells me about everything he can see or imagine. And the bonus: he actually started using more words, saying the word and signing at the same time, just like I do it for him. So I definitely wouldn't be worried about your baby's ability to pick up both languages at the same time.
That’s awesome!!!
Loved watching this! I am glad my Mom taught me ASL when I was little since she taught for the school for the deaf and I have always been hard of hearing most of my life but the last ten years I lost almost all my ability to hear human voices, listen to TV or radio, enjoy movies, and use a telephone but I regained all that and more since having right sided cochlear implant surgery on September 6, 2019 and hoping someday to maybe have my left ear done too. I knew a little bit of Korean too since that is where I was adopted from 36 years ago (I came to America exactly 36 years ago on October 28th). When my nephew was little they taught him some signs and my Mom and I taught him some signs too and it was fun watching him sign more and all done but we knew what he meant though and he will be a big brother in March 2020 a month after he turns 3 years old in February 2020.
Oh wow! Thanks for sharing your story with us :)
You are welcome.
I learned how to sign before I learned to speak
Love it!!!
Yes teach your daughter to sign with simple words. I'm hard of hearing all my life but I am deaf. I taught my both sons when they were babies. I let them know that their parents (me and my husband) were deaf. I fed them and talked to them with sign language. I showed them, for example, the word book and showed the sign for book.
Aww 😍
I learned the manual alphabet by myself from a book in 1976, when I was 10. I just thought it was cool. Then I taught it to my mom, who taught kindergarten. From then on until she retired, she taught it to all her classes along with the alphabet song. She just did it; it wasn’t in the curriculum. You could always tell which kids had Mrs. S. for kindergarten. 🙂 We didn’t know any actual ASL, but just having the alphabet, just KNOWING sign language is a thing, was good for those kids. I think all schools should teach that. (My friends and I used to “talk” in class using the alphabet, so maybe not a good use but we did get pretty proficient!)
One time one of her students went to a beach house for the summer after kindergarten, and there was a girl in the house next door who was the same age, but Deaf. Her (hearing) mother was anxious about it, I think, but she brought her over to introduce and explain. And mom’s student instantly pointed to herself and spelled out MAGGIE. The two mothers both cried. The two kids ran off together and by the end of the summer, Maggie was a fluent signer. So just having that one piece, the start of communication, made all the difference in the world. Maggie’s mom stopped by my mom’s classroom the beginning of the next school year just to tell her about it. She was very proud of her daughter and very grateful to my mom. (Maggie’s mother hadn’t even known she had learned it; she was completely shocked when Maggie just popped out with the letters.) It would be great if schools taught some ASL also, but the alphabet is so easy to learn and is a whole lot better than nothing.
Congratulations! Looking forward to seeing Zach signing stories to your daughter in your vlog! 😃
Yess!!!
I've been learning ASL for almost six months now, and it's so fun to watch the signs! I understand more than I thought I would!
I'm actually surprised those questions would be asked. How could you raise a child who couldn't communicate with a parent?
I hadn't even thought about your daughter being a coda. I think she will be very lucky, not only to have great parents, but know asl from birth! So much easier to learn when you have a new, fresh brain instead of an old stale one. 😄 This is so exciting!
Right!!! Yeah we are excited:)
In addition! My son and I are hearing. He learned 250 signs before his 2nd birthday. He didn't have any issues speaking but both his singing and speech exploded ahead of schedule as I continued to sign as I spoke to him. Your daughter will do very well! He is 13 now and we still use ASL all the time! So fun!
Thanks so much!!!!
I have 6 children! We are all hearing but I started teaching them ASL as toddlers and it did not hinder their speech in any way! All 6 of them spoke early and they all spoke very well :)
Awesome 👏🏼
That’s the reason my boyfriend is scared to even have kids. I love watching your guys videos and relationship, could always use some advice on the cultural differences challenges
Aww really? Have you two talked about those things more? I think in general having kids can be a bit scary but I am also super excited about it :) -Courtney
Bit of a silly question, how else will she communicate with dad!? Great video, you explain things so well! Love you guys!
Right... hahaha btw I love your name! Maisie is such a cute name. I wanted it to be our daughter name but zach vetoed it haha
@@OurSignedWorld Thank you so much! I'm sure you will pick a great name! :D
I had the exact same thought. How else would she talk to her dad?
TH-cam: Celebrates *international* sign language day
Also TH-cam: Made a playlist of mostly American sign language
Amazing video ♥️ I can’t wait for the future when we see your baby signing and talking! I am excited to see how you’ll teach her both! 💖
Us too!!!! Thanks so much
CONGRATSSSS! Super excited! Praying for a healthy pregnancy, delivery, and baby!
Thanks!!!
I learned to how to sign before I learned to speak. But my hearing parents didnt know I was born profoundly deaf until I was few months old. But I am glad that I am deaf!
Oh wow! That’s great:)
Love this! Love ASL and the Deaf Culture. When will you find out if your daughter is deaf or hearing? So happy for you guys and I know for a fact she will never be bitter about learning ASL and being involved in the Deaf Culture.
Not until she is born
Learning ASL and I love love your channel. It was challenging to make out the signs because the back ground wall is light and your sweater is light. Just a heads up. You may want to wear a dark shirt so that the contrast will allow your viewers to more easily see each sign. Big congrats so happy for y'all. Blessings! Again love your channel!!!
Yeah I realize that now... bad shirt choice, sorry
@@OurSignedWorld Oh you are fine :)
But I figured I should say something otherwise you would have never known :) So looking forward to your future videos with your new addition!!
I will be able to share your channel with parents of deaf babies/children as that ministry is so important. Deaf/HOH children deserve to have equal access on every level especially language/communication. I am hearing but want to help fight for their rights!
I babysit and I try to encourage the kids that refuse to talk or to use their words to use simple signs to indicate what the need and it often works better than words! Some kids struggle to convey their thoughts in to speech so sign helps them a lot! There is a line tho, their speech development can completely stop if you you don’t try and get to get them to use their words first before signing because most kids find signing easier and will completely stop speaking all together
Yes!
I took ASL 1&2 in college, and what was really cool was that the instructor herself was Deaf. It was an amazing experience!!!! I still know and can use some of the signs but it's been awhile and i haven't practiced in awhile. But watching your vlog makes me want to get back into learning again.
Congrats on your pregnancy Courtney, and Zack! Xoxo
You should continue learning!!! Your last name is familiar! Do you have a twin sister and a brother named Jaime?
@@OurSignedWorld I don't have a twin sister, and I don't have a brother named Jamie. I thoroughly enjoyed learning ASL for sure, it was a really cool experience... I should get back into it, hopefully someday I'll get back into learning more. I mean, I do still remember some signs, and how to finger-spell still, I used to have all of my text books from the class, but ended up losing all of my stuff when I lost my apartment a year ago :(
I made a friend in culinary school and she is deaf so I told her that in winter semester I will be taking sign language class so when we see each other again in spring semester I will be able to communicate with her . And anyone else who is deaf at my college
That’s awesome!!! So happy you’re doing that!
@@OurSignedWorld thanks it will also help in the culinary field as well and I want to be able to make culinary accessible for people with disabilities I have autism , and adhd and my deaf friend was the only person who gets me in the program I'm apart of at my college some of the chefs don't even know how to sign to make the culinary program deaf accessible . I found your channel because if I find someone who is deaf and I want to date them I want to be able to communicate with them and not let there be a gap. The instructor I found is deaf at my college how would I say good afternoon to him on the first day of semester I do not know any sign language except how to sign knife
My children both signed before they could speak and it was natural for them to go back and forth from talking to signing. They didn’t even think about it. My children are hearing and I am deaf. 😃
Thanks for sharing! That is awesome :)
If you speak the words while signing them, then your child will be learning both simultaneously. I would think that it would be important for her to also be spoken to (along with signing) from birth, so that she will grow up being fluent in both. In many families where the parents are each more fluent in their native language, each parent speaks only their native language to their child from infancy... that way their child can differentiate between each language & become fluent in both. Because she will learn speaking only from you, it seems important that you speak to her consistently from infancy. You & your husband have a wonderful advantage, in that both languages may be presented to your daughter simultaneously...each reinforcing the other. You show her a book, etc., then sign "book", while speaking the word. Just my opinion as a former teacher of young children. I just discovered you channel & love it.💗
I can't believe she would refuse to sign because you will sign with her and signing is easier than speaking. I'm as also confident that she will learn English as well as when to speak it with your hearing friends and family. I'm thinking you may use English as well for some things we almost reflexively say in English: Yes! No! Stop! Ouch, etc. I am hard-of-hearing with otosclerosis. I started signing at 13 just because I loved it. God bless you all!
I'm not an expert, but I was under the impression that being bilingual was an advantage to mental growth and development. They learn to communicate better and expand their capacity to understand things in different ways.
That is correct!
Do you guys have a name for her?
Or a list of names you are debating?
Courtney- would you simcom around her ever or just stick to one or the other?
Will you guys look for a school that has both English speaking teachers and ASL teachers?
Pardon all the questions, I’m just genuinely curious about a lot of stuff
💜💜💜💜
We will make a VLOG about it 😋
Congratulations!🙂
I pray your baby is Healthy and strong. God bless you both.
Thank you:)
My sister-in-law is pregnant and is also due April 2nd! It's my first niece/nephew (they aren't finding out the sex). I plan to teach them little signs whenever I'm around and see what they can pick up on! Will you guys be doing a birth vlog?
Omgsh how exciting!!! Yes that’s our goal:)
I am big fan this channel. They make me laugh. I love baby Madison. She is cute baby girl. I like Zach. He is good father. To Madison.
I find it hard to believe too that she will refuse to sign to communicate with her dad. I mean she may get upset one day when she is a teenager and decide not to sign back when y'all are disciplining her but for her to just stop signing when that's the only way to talk to her dad I don't think would ever be a problem. Especially if they have a strong father-daughter relationship. I plan on getting my fiance and our daughter to have once a month father and daughter day because I am going to be a stay at home mom and he will work so it's so important for us for her to spend time with her father as much as possible. My fiance truly loves our little girl and he wants the best for her to him she is a second chance.A chance to be better than who he was so he works very hard every day to get things in order for when she born.
Yeah we are with you on that!
You are an adorable couple every time I think of teaching a baby sign language I think of the movie Meet The Fockers starring Ben Stiller where he is visiting his father in law and they're watching their grandson and teaching him sign language so cool to see babies/toddlers communicate in sign language you are amazing at sign language Courtney a real professional!!!
Haha i love that movie but I don't remember that part! lol Ill have to watch again.
Merry Christmas Congratulations Pregnancy fast on grow soon coming! 💕🤗👩👧
Thanks!!!
I loved watching this. It's funny how zach was hoping the baby picked up English and ASL equally. My husband is French and I'm Australian. We live in Berlin. So our children grow up trilingually. There's never been a problem. They go through phases of being stronger in one than another. Then it swaps around again. After their French grandmother visits for a week, their French gets a real push. At the moment they're 7 year old twins. He's strongest in English and French. It swaps around which one. And he reads in English and German. She reads in English and German and is strongest in those 2. Kids can learn lots of different languages when people are clear and consistent.
Love this! My deafness is genetic so I can possibly pass it on to my children but for me no matter if they are deaf or hearing I plan to speak and sign, so they hear what I'm saying and also see what I'm saying. I only learnt sign a couple of years ago and I have to say there's nothing cuter than babies signing!
Soo true!!!!:)
Congrats to you both! Really happy for you!
Thanks so much!!
My 16 years old sister is trilingual and she’s amazing sister I ever had and no one would replace her. She speaks Spanish, English, ASL. She picked everything up quickly as she grew up. My parents come from Mexico so of course they would speak Spanish to my sister. Then I’m deaf and of course I would teach her ASL. But what about English? Well I assume that she went to a good school and she acquired spoken English there. Every school in United States use spoken English. Correct me if I’m wrong about using spoken English in schools. I don’t mean to give wrong information. Back to my sister, she’s fluent in three languages and I’m proud of her. :) I don’t see why you should be worried about your daughter learning spoken English. Your daughter is going to be amazing and fluent like my sister ❤️
Wow that’s awesome! Yeah they use English :)
I like how you challenge us by blending into that sweater. Very clever.
Haha yeah bad choice in clothing 😬
But it's a beautiful sweater.
Hey guys, we've been teaching our daughter sign language since she was born. Her mom is deaf and I'm hearing. Her sign for mom is her index finger pointing to then chin and dad pointing at the top of her head
Aww love it!!!
I think people are not understanding that ASL will be her first language, just like if a baby is born into a hearing family they will use the language the family uses with them.
Right!
every parent should teach their kids american sign linage. its easy for parent to understand for me i use my voice and sign
There will come times when your kid can refuse to look at you, speak to you etc, if my hearing kid is an example. Like, shut their eyes, ears and turn away /run away. I think it's pretty normal in developement. Or test you by standing behind furniture, voicing instead of signing, yelling from another room and other silliness. Especially when they are surrounded by non-signers and Hearing culture a lot.
Yeah those things will probably happen...
I feel like that "what if she refuses to use sign question" is ridiculous 😆 first of all, there are a million what ifs when it comes to parenting and also just life in general. But worrying about the what ifs don't do anyone any good. You're both going to be great parents and set a good example and learn and grow as you go. Isn't that what everyone is doing?! Parenting or not! We're all just learning as we go.
Thanks! We agree :) hahaha
Would you be disappointed if your baby was born deaf?
Which I think the answer would be no, but I was just curious because her mom is Hearing but her Dad is deaf so I just wonder if she will be born not hearing and if you would be a little sad not being able to communicate with her by voice. If it would be a little sad to not share that with her. I’m so excited to see her. I love your channel ❤️ it’s very calming for me to watch you sign. You guys are inspirational and just amazing and I know you’ll be awesome parents ❤️❤️❤️
No not at all :)
She will most likely be hearing though.
@@OurSignedWorld I was born deaf and I had 3 ear surgeries when I was a toddler. and I just wonder if my mom would've been sad if I never heard her voice. AMD THANK YOU so much for answering:)
Merry Christmas. So good to see your vlog again
Thanks :) you too!
i used to be a nanny for a little boy that didnt speak. He could hear. He was just delayed with speech. His parents had such a hard time communicating with him until I started teaching him some signs. Now, Im not proficient in ASL BY FAR but teaching a child "milk" and "play" and "water" can save your soul before a meltdown strikes! When he finally was ready to talk he had the clearest sentences but would still sign basic stuff to me.
Also - is your registry up to date? I know baby Madison is here so your needs may be a bit different...
Check out The Stews, they are another deaf and hearing couple. They have a little bit and they are expecting baby #2 soon. Jill just posted a 27 week update. They have done vlogs about using ASL with their son, and maybe they'll do another language update soon, or maybe you can talk to them about it! 🙂
Yes I’ve seen their vLOGs!!:)
I'm learning ASL bc of my grandmother she's HOH, I didn't know before that's bc I don't get to see her as much. So I want to be able to chat with her, that is why ASL is cool 🤟
those clothes are still in style! lol
When both parents are deaf how do they know when the baby needs them? For example when the baby cries in the middle of the night. So interesting
They have technology that will connect to a bed vibrator to alert them :)
That’s amazing!
Hi, Wow that's interesting! Sound nice yes it's important feel connected with your child when Asl and English that lead future will sucess and strength both in the world. And know that your baby shower due by April 2 right? Same my birthday I was birth wow it fantastic! And I very looking foward your journey future with your child!
Thanks so much!!
I have always wanted to learn how to sign, although I do not know anyone who is deaf or knows how to sign. I enjoy hearing your story. I think learning ASL would be beneficial to me in the future! Courtney, how did you learn and where do you recommend me starting?
I learned in high school and took classes in college :)
Hello C & Z,... He birth earlier 27 weeks. We have CODA son which we teach him when he was 1 year learned 3 signs language. His first word said tried mom on chin with one finger also we tried teach him sign 🤟 he said (L) later grown up young spelling errors we changed him to correct way. Now Improved better when we go appt. the office depend him I told him Don't that's not his responsibility that's Office responsible to get an certificate interpreter for us.
I appreciate he is act likely Deaf but really he's hearing. 👍🤫😉
Thanks 🙏🏼
What does Coda mean? Excited for you guys! 💕
Just started following you not long ago.. Probably right when you got pregnant I think. We live in San Diego (didn't realize you're in So Cal until this video) and my husband is severely hard of hearing and I am hearing. I am curious what devices you'll use to assist Zach with the baby. I did a little research on the subject back in 2015 but didn't find much so I took over everything regarding night diaper changes/wakes, etc. Any special devices you've discovered that will help him? We have Deaf friends who tell stories of their dead parents who would just sleep with a hand on baby or arm in crib all night to feel movement if they wake.
HEY!!! As of now we are thinking about the Nanit or Cubo baby monitor. They can connect to his apple watch and vibrate when the baby is crying
Firstly congratulations to you both secondly i think its great that your child will know both English and ASL i do have one question or maybe 2 is the grammar structure of ASL different from spoken english ? I'm an Aussie and i know Australian sign language (im not deaf nor is it anyone in my family i just wanted to learn it when i was a teenager many many years ago i then used it in the workplace with deaf coworkers ) and its grammer is different from English so i was just wondering only 1 question then sorry this is soooo long
Yes the grammar is SOOOO different! Haha it can make it challenging sometimes for new learners
@@OurSignedWorld yes i remember trying to wrap my head around the different grammer rules
Some of my friends decided to make their home a sign only zone (regardless of which parent was there), then only sign when both both parents together, and anywhere else speech if that makes sense.
Yeah that’s awesome
I have a question. My step dad is hard of hearing do to military. He uses an amplifier but it doesn’t help. Hearing aids are super expensive. He didn’t use one until my daughters were born. The first time he used one he heard my oldest walking and talking for the first time and cried. I’ve tried to learn sign and teach them but I’ve found it hard because i don’t really know if I’m signing correctly. My girls are now 3 & 4. My 3 yr old daughter was also hard off hearing due to fluid behind her ear drum. Which also causes speech delay. So I tried learning more signs. Her speech teachers kept telling me to stop signing. I didn’t. Now that she’s speaking we don’t use our sign a lot😕. How can we find ways to learn sign language? Do you have any recommendations. I’ve always been in love with ASL. I’m glad you all will be teaching your daughter both English and ASL
Check out signed with hearts channel :)
You can always look for park and rec classes in your area or take a class at a community college :)
Courtney, what would it be like if you used both your voice and sign at the same time with baby? Is that possible? Would baby get equal exposure that way? (I’m not in the Deaf culture so I don’t know the answer I’m just curious!)
It’s not beneficial. The reason is that sign language and English have very different grammatical rules and structure so using both at the same time, one is bound to “suffer” which for English speakers it’s typically the sign that lacks.
Of course! My son, Miles, was spotlighted on Sorenson and Seek The World, which you can see the video here: facebook.com/seektheworld2015/videos/846543102448306/
I'm profoundly deaf and my wife is hearing, we both have a hearing son that we have been going through the same as you both said in the video two years ago. We are amazed at how quickly our son learned sign language before his voice development. His voice was mumbling and wasn't very clear but his signings make it so easy for both of us where we are able to communicate with him and know what he really needs.
I'm looking forward to seeing more videos from you both and your journey as a parent. If you have any questions, ask us anytime! We have another baby due on March 28, a few days before yours. I agreed with Zach that he doesn't want the baby to arrive on April Fool's Day! Our first one was five days after our due date so we are not sure when our second one will arrive. Ha!
Good video! Looking forward to seeing your next one!
Wow thanks so much! What’s your email??
I’ve noticed that there are two different signs for “sign”. What is the difference between them? The one where the fingers rotate in a circle and the one where the hand closes and opens. Sorry if I’m not explaining well
I'm guessing someone has told you this already, but I thought of you and your growing family when I heard this. Apparently, the new American Girl Doll of the year for 2020 is the first doll of the year to have hearing loss. Her storyline explains that she was born deaf in one ear and has a hearing aid. th-cam.com/video/70tqGIPOQkc/w-d-xo.html
So excited for you guys! May God bless you and your family with health and happiness❤️
Thank you ❤️
I am so happy for Courtney and zack.
HI i think if the mum is hearing child might too but it depends. due to the language i think you are the parents so your child with speak whatever you will teach hhim or her , i think if courtney is hearing then you should use ur voice while you sign to her or him so they can learn both easly ?
As a mother of a teenage daughter I promise that Even if she does grow up to be rebellious... she'll still sign to you those little smart mouthed teenaged talking back comments.
Have you guys thought about making a channel to teach people ASL? ❤️❤️
We’ve though about it :)
OurSignedWorld I think it would be cool! You should totally incorporate your baby as she grows up similar to the way ASL Nook does it! A good learning experience for everybody!
Why not use your voice and sign at the same time. It will allow her to reinforce what you are signing and also to work on her speaking?
I will sometimes, not often though. It’s impossible for both languages to be accurate and correct when using them at the same time due to them having completely different grammar and syntax
Hi hi from Oklahoma!💜💜💜💜
Hello!!!
@@OurSignedWorld been having a tough time since December 13th
How do you know if baby girl will be hearing or not? I know they do a hearing test shortly after birth but you are already talking about her as if you know for sure she will be able to speak/hear
Zach’s deafness is not genetic. He wasn’t born deaf, he became deaf. So the likelihood is very low
Awesome...
Thanks :)
I learned in preschool(kinda want to start relearning it!)
You should!!:)
@@OurSignedWorld wish could find a great teacher!
That's the dumbest question somebody asked because it'd be stupid not to teach your baby sign. It's good for anyone to do it.
Right!
Hopefully your baby is not as red as Elmo right! Lol
hahahaha right!! lol
you both are determined baby will be hearing??
Zach wasn’t born deaf so the chances of our child being deaf are rare
@@OurSignedWorld
Aren't 85% of the babies that are born deaf have parents that are both hearing? I've read about that so many times while studying deaf culture.
As a person that does not know ASL, what does your name sign mean Courtney? :)
We will make a video about it. The name sign itself doesn’t actually have a meaning though :) it was made up
You said they have a very social life but your daughter is born in Corona times... I cannot believe that that was not even a thing 9 months ago! How the world has changed
Do you guys have a name picked out??
We will make a vlog about it 😋
My birthday is April fools day...
Oh really????
My cousin is also pregnant and her due date is April 9th. So small world
Oh wow! How exciting!!!
April 2nd is my birthday omg!!!!
WHAT REALLY?!?
OurSignedWorld yes! And my brothers birthday is April 4th!
How do you know she will be hearing?
They don’t, they find out when she is born if she can bear or not.
Someone actually asked if you're going to teach your own language to your kid? Such a strange question. Like, of course you have to! How else are you going to talk to each other? And be part of the ASL and Deaf culture?
Hahaha it was an interesting question loo
Would people actually ask that? How else would she talk to her dad? 😕
Which deaf or hearing?
I am courtney I hearing. Zach is deaf
I wrong
Which deaf or hearing baby?
I write Spanish
Baby
Shut up! You guys are pregnant!!! Congratulations!
Yess thanks!!!:)
You think your kid will be hearing? There's no genetic reasons they might be HoH or deaf?
Right
Can your husband talk since he wasn't born death?
👨👩👧💑👉🏻👁👁🤟🏻🙈😄👍🏻👍🏻😊❤👋🏻حلووو👍🏻
:)
Lol how ma y people have been signing in public and you get the can you teach me curse words in asl
Lots of people
It's too funny ( or not), ppl always want to learn curse words. I refuse to tell. I found out my son taught his friend a bad word and he got in BIG trouble! So did she!!! 1😂🤣 I still tell my GROWN son NOT to do that! He KNOWS BETTER than to try that in front of me! So does his beautiful wifey! There are TOO MANY nice words to learn!
God bless you again, Courtney and Zach! I just got on social media again, and only today found out that you were pregnant. -- I am @bubbie_dubbie I am a grandmother of TWO babies; siblings, born 9 months apart. My grandson was born 3 months early. He is doing GREAT, as is his big sister! They have both had several hearing tests, because we have a very strong genetic background of deaf and/or early onset progressive hearing loss. Honestly, I have to say, "Whatever happens, happens." God is SO GOOD! HE is never failing. My son never let it keep him down.
Byeeeeeeeeeeeee! Sorry for the NOVEL! 🤣🙏🏼☝🏼🙌🏼