Baby Sign Language

Baby Sign Language

How It Can Benefit Your Baby

If you're considering teaching your baby sign language then don't be put off by the fact that you have no prior knowledge of signing.
More and more parents are teaching their babies sign language as it becomes more evident that babies can sign before they can talk.
Think you're ready to start right now, great! If you need some more convincing read on..

Learning baby sign language is lots of fun and really does help your child communicate with you before he/she is able to speak.

!! Check out our new Baby Signing Journal where you can track the progress of our baby as she learns to sign, as well as learn new signs for you little one each visit!

Why Should I Teach my Baby Sign Language?

By the age of 12 months most babies have uttered their first words and can understand many more words in spoken language but they have not yet mastered the skills to verabalise their own thoughts. This is where baby signing can play a vital role. We already sign with our children, using finger plays, waving bye bye and many other intuitive hand signals that do not come from any formal signing system.

Signing allows babies to communicate from a younger age, reducing frustration and tantrums on the part of the child. This in turn means that the parent/carer is better able to meet the needs and wants of the child.
Parent-child bonding is also said to be enhanced by the close interaction with the parent(s) spending time positively interacting with the baby as they teach them to sign.

Pros and Cons

There is ongoing hot debate about whether teaching a baby sign language is of benefit. Many experts are concerned that the use of signing takes priority over parents talking to their kids. On the other hand parents rave about having children who are calmer and speak earlier than their non signing peers. Stay tuned to our Baby Signing Journal to keep up with all that makes the news regarding baby sign language- whether it's positive, negative or somewhere in between.

Whatever the definitive answer, parents should not feel guilty for not taking their kids to baby signing classes. Even without signing in the past we have managed to communicate with our babies. Learning a few basic signs might be all you need to help your baby in times of frustration. The choice is yours.

**LAST WORD- In our house we have found signing to be an enjoyable activity that we undertake as a family. Anything that allows us to spend more time together (with the tv off!) is a plus in my book.

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