Baby Sign Language

Whether your child is hearing impaired or not, baby sign language is a very effective method for communicating with your little one. Many parents are using sign language, and it has proven to be very effective. Babies and toddlers are very limited in their ability to tell others what they want and need. Using baby sign language is an effective way to help a little one process language.

Baby sign language will help to reduce the number of tantrums that a toddler has. Quite often, a toddler will become very frustrated when he can’t tell others what he needs because he doesn’t have the skills required to articulate his wants and needs through speech. Gestures are much easier for a baby to use and the motions do not have to match the American Sign Language designated signs for objects and activities, just s long as his caretakers know what the gesture means, it will work.

To begin using baby sign language with your child, parents should start through modeling. Sign language is very visual and it is easier for a baby to remember than spoken words. The baby begins to connect the spoken word with the gesture and with the object or activity very quickly. My daughter uses limited sign language, as she is still learning; she understands signs for the words “more, want, help, ball, play” and “eat” on sight. Gradually, she will begin to imitate more and more baby sign language gestures until finally she will able to use all words.

My daughter does not like it when I use hand-over-hand prompts to help her use sign language and many babies won’t. They need to observe the gestures and pick them up gradually as they hear them repeated. Baby sign language should not be forced and it should not be structured. The best way o using sign language for babies is to connect the words and signs with the item or activity.

One of the most popular signs to teach first is “more” because it is very easy for a baby to understand. If you are swinging a baby in a swing, take a moment to stop swinging and sign “more” before continuing the activity. It is not necessary to require the baby to use sign language. Modeling the signs is a great way to introduce them. The baby will eventually begin using the sign language on his own as he learns to imitate.

Once the little one begins to use baby sign language, you will find that he also begins to articulate the words associated with the signs. Make it fun. Involve activities and things that the baby loves and you will have a great start on building your child’s communication skills. Baby sign language is the first step to developing good communication skills, and in turn, good behavior.