The answer to that question is a definite YES. It is a fact that infants develop their fine muscles in their hands long before they have the skills for speech.
Have you ever watched a baby wave bye-bye or point to their mouth when they are hungry, or have your seen a little one point to his nose when it needs to be wiped? These are all symbols of communication, in other words, sign language. They are communicating to you what they want and are expressing it without speech. It is very easy to encourage such a natural form of communicating and to turn it into the use of sign language. You can do this on a daily basis with your child with little effort on your part. This is not a time consuming chore. This can be just a natural part of your communication with your child as well as the rest of the family. You can start using sign language as early as 6 months of age. It will not show up for a few months until they are able to sign back to you, so don’t become discouraged.
You do not need to know sign language to teach your child, you can learn right along with him. Just choose a sign to start with and use it when you have your baby’s full attention. Show your child the sign during an activi9ty and then show your baby the sign every time you do the activity. Continue to use the sign until your baby signs back to you. You may add other signs and do the same process, but don’t ever drop the original signs that have taught. The more signs your baby knows the easier it will become for him to learn more. There are many advantages to teaching your child sign language while they are so young. They do not need to be diagnosed with a hearing problem or other developmental delays to benefit from this.
Some of these benefits are:
- Babies who can communicate through signing are usually happier because they are able to communicate their needs.
- Their frustration level is lower because they know they are able to communicate with you and you are able to understand.
- Babies can learn sign language as early as 6 months of age.
- Babies taught sign language have higher IQ’s than babies that don’t sign.
- They develop advanced language skills in other areas.
- As they enter school, they have improved mathematic scores.
- This is a wonderful bonding experience between baby and parent.
- This opens the doors for your child to develop more friendships.
- Develops strong self-esteem.
- Great benefit for children with speech delays or special needs.
Learning how to communicate with your baby before he is able to speak is a benefit for everyone in the home. These are skills that will not only stay with and help your baby, but your other children in the home will greatly benefit as well. Give it a try; you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Author: Annette Jensen
One of the most important keys to succeed in baby sign language is for you to HAVE FUN! Get excited and have a good time when tea fef ching your baby a new word. Signing with your baby is more about attitude and persistence than any specific technique.
Publisher’s synopsis: The first baby sign pop-up book created by Sabuda & Reinhart Pop-Ups.Learn the basic signs to help your baby or toddler communicate with you. From early morning wake-up to eating, to playtime and bedtime, Baby Signs will teach baby and parent their first fifteen signs to facilitate language development. Baby Sign is based American Sign Language.
Wondering How to Teach Baby Sign Language?
Feel free to use your resources for new ideas whenever you get stuck. But after all is said and done, you may just find that your little one was the best resource of all for how to teach baby sign language!
