Teaching Baby Sign Language
My daughter, at 15 months has a big vocabulary. Along with the 20 or so words she knows, she knows about 10 more in sign language. No, she doesn’t have a full American Sign Language vocabulary, and we don’t consistently teach her every word in sign language. However, the words she does know has come in handy during the months she still couldn’t utter a word.
As soon as she started eating solid foods, and was weaned from the bottle, she was taught the signs for “eat/food”, “drink”, “more”. Those three signs alone has resolved 99% or issues during mealtimes. We’ve taught her “apple”, “cracker”, “book”, “baby” (for her baby doll). As we find more and more words she still can’t say, we teach her the sign for them to reduce frustration. As a result, we have some sort of hybrid communication that’s working wonderfully.
If you have a child that’s easily frustrated, and one who is eager to communicate but can’t speak yet, teaching them sign language is a wonderful tool to give them. Sign language has been linked to advanced language skills once they do acquire the knowledge to talk. They’ve even been linked to early speech development.
Why not pick up a book, or DVD on sign language for babies. There are many available out there. Don’t forget to check out the library for free resources as well!
Happy signing!
Secret Mommy says...
There are also classes at low costs, depending on where you live. My 6 mo. old and I just started a class at our local rec center. It’ll be quite some time before he uses any signs, but he is already recognizing some.
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MrsH says...
Oh that’s a great point Secret Mom. I just found one priced for $60 for a 10 wk class here in our community.
Smart Baby Sign Language says...
I am teaching my daughter ASL vocabulary as well. I think it has been one of the smartest things I’ve done for her/us. I started out with Monta Briant’s book with the intention of teaching her a few words in sign language–maybe 10-20 at the most. Well, she started signing at 7.5 months and I quickly decided she was going to learn as much as I could teach her and myself. At 12 months she had 12 signs. At 16 months she knew about 250! It was amazing. She’s 2.5 now and we’re still teaching her sign language. And it still comes in amazingly handy.
I highly recommend teaching babies sign language. And if you aren’t opposed to letting your child watch TV, get the Baby Signing Time DVDs. You won’t regret it. It’s the easiest way to teach your baby and yourself to sign.
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MrsH says...
Thank you for the recommendation.
Elizabeth says...
I have been using the Baby Signs(R) Program for six years with my three boys. The results are amazing! There has been so much research done on the benefits; reduced tantrums, higher IQ, greater parent/child bond, greater reading and vocabulary skills….. I can’t see a reason not to teach your child to sign!
Just yesterday my 14 month old was sitting in his high chair with a sippy cup of juice. He (like always) said “uh-oh” and threw it on the floor. So I put it in the fridge and we all continued our breakfast. A few minues later he was getting upset and pointing at the fridge doing his sign for “milk”. I gave him his juice and he threw it back on the floor and kept signing “milk”. So I filled him a glass of milk and he was so happy! If he didn’t use Baby Signs(R) then I would’ve thought he was just ready to get down and wasn’t thirsty, not that he didn’t want the juice and preferred milk instead.They really do know what they want and they are so proud when they realize they’ve been understood.
I am a Certified Independent Baby Signs(R) Instructor in Oregon offering classes for Parents and Caregivers, Parent/child classes, specialized playgroup classes and ECE (Early Childhood Education) classes for daycare centers. Private classes at your location available. Each class comes with a great kit full of tools to help you continue signing with your baby at home.
Inquire @ babysignswithelizabeth@gmail.com
And whether you take a class or teach yourself at home just keep signing with those babies!