Baby Sign Language


Why Sign?
Signing with babies … is it the fad? Something only power moms who want superbabies do? A sure-fire way to form a speech delay?

You may already know that the answer to all of the above questions is a resounding NO.

People have been signing with their babies for years. The most common reason for doing so is an intense desire on the part of a parent or caregiver to find out exactly what is going on in a baby’s mind - what does she need? What does she want? What does she observe? What does she think about and remember?

It is a fact that infants develop the fine muscles in their hands before they develop those required for speech, so they’re equipped to communicate with you before they can speak.

Most babies will invent their own “signs” to get their meaning across. A baby may learn to wave bye-bye, for example, or point to his or her nose when it needs a wipe. How many of us for years have asked, “How big is baby?” and watched them fling up their arms in glee at the proper moment? These are symbolic gestures that are one form of communication used by pre-verbal infants and toddlers. In addition to pointing and grunting, a baby has the potential use of his hands and body to aid in communicating his thoughts, wants, fears, needs and memories.

It is actually easy to encourage this natural communication and to expand this into the use of sign language on a daily basis with your child.

Signing with babies isn’t difficult. It has been proven to be beneficial to speech acquisition through years of research, and it is fun, inspirational, and downright amazing.

So what are you waiting for? Explore and learn all there is to know about signing with babies.

Benefits for Babies: Can communicate wants and needs to their caregivers at an early age Will have an earlier understanding of the English language May learn to speak earlier Could have an above-average ability later in life to learn a new language May possibly have a higher I.Q.

Benefits for Parents: Lower frustration levels (for both parent and baby) because the baby can communicate with you Deeper bonding with their baby because they have greater insight into their baby’s mind A higher level of trust from their baby because he or she knows that you understand what he or she is trying to tell you Satisfaction. What a great feeling it is to know that you can effectively communicate with your pre-verbal infant