my search begins

I started with the babycenter.com website. With my notebook by my side, I began taking notes on what I found. Lamb recommends keeping a journal during this “wiggling” phase. I also looked to Eisenberg’s and Berkowitz’s BIG6 model once I began searching since I had explored this model for one of my trailblazers and knew that it contained good search strategies. The Big6 suggests taking notes during step 4 which is where I am at in the process.

I found several articles on the babycenter website, most of which talked about the benefits of teaching sign language. Most parents noted that it helped ease the frustration of not being able to communicate with their children. I also found out that Joseph Garcia is the developer of the first baby sign language program.

These articles actually took me back to the “webbing” stage. Within the articles I identified several key words that will help me as my search continues: communication, speech development, motor skills, and cognitive development. I recorded all of these new phrases to help me as I continue “wiggling” through the information.

With just reading a few articles, I can tell that there is going to be a lot of information available. However, I was only able to find out about the benefits. I think I may have to do some digging to uncover an repercussions teaching sign language might have. I am definitely realizing that there is a lot of work to be done, but I have confidence. Kuhlthau says these feelings are right on track in her Collecting Information stage.