A Resource for Athens Area Families
   


Online only
Baby Sign Language
By Jacqueline Bodnar
Posted June 2005

Baby Sign Language More
Lauren signs "more"

What could be better than a young child that hasn’t developed language skills yet being able to communicate with their parents? Today many children can do just that because their parents are teaching them sign language. Teaching sign language to babies not only has lasting benefits but has now caught on across the country and has become the innovative way that parents are working to help their child get ahead.

Signing Explained
“Although signing with babies has been around for over 20 years, in the past couple of years interest has steadily grown,” explains Jenny Hodges, a certified district manager for Baby Signs® (www.babysigns.com), a national company that offers workshops and classes on teaching babies sign language. Teaching sign language to babies gives parents and children the ability to be able to communicate before their language skills have even been developed.

Most programs that are offered for teaching sign language use everyday terms that are useful and relate to a babies life. Hodges explains that the most common first terms that are usually taught include milk, more, eat and words that are related to meals, bedtime and bathing. Other common first words for younger babies include cat, dog, baby, more, mommy and daddy. Once the baby is a bit older then other words are introduced like phone, play, colors, rain and car. There is no set amount of words you need to teach your child, you could pick and choose a few common words or work to expand their signing vocabulary.

Most of the words taught in baby sign language programs have been adapted from the American Sign Language system. Other families choose to make up their own signs for individual items they routinely use around the house. The practice of signing gives babies the opportunity to label objects, express their needs and to explain how they are feeling. Children also get the chance to be a part of choosing the direction and focus of what they want to do and what they want to talk about.

Benefits of Signing
Young children often throw temper tantrums as a result of feeling frustrated because they are not able to verbally express themselves. Learning sign language as a baby is believed to help cut down on some of those tantrums that toddlers experience because they have a way to communicate. As if just being able to cut down on those toddler temper tantrums wasn’t motivation enough to send parents running to find the closest baby signing program, there are many more benefits beyond that. Research has shown that teaching them sign language stimulates intellectual development.

"There is a significant percentage of the children who speak earlier when their parents sign with them,” explains Nancy Cadjan, president of Sign Babies (www.signbabies.com). “And even those who speak at a normal rate have an easier time learning language and an increased vocabulary when they do begin speaking.”

When babies have this ability to communicate to have their needs met it is also believed to increase their self esteem and confidence level and many believe that it strengthens the bond between the parent and child. Learning sign language as a baby also provides a foundation for early literacy.

Getting Started
"Every baby is different and will sign when they are ready,” explains Hodges. Usually within a couple of months you should see results from your teaching efforts. Keep in mind that the older the baby the faster they catch on to the signs. The recommended age to start teaching your baby sign language is usually around eight months, although some people do get started around six months. Even if your baby is a year old or more it’s not too late to start teaching them sign language.

If you would like to teach your baby sign language you have a variety of ways that you can get started. There are books, videos and Web sites that offer a plethora of information on how to get started and links to online signing dictionaries that show you how to sign. “You can take a class from a certified infant sign language instructor or you can learn to do this on your own,” says Cadjan. “Taking from an instructor is better because it gives you a chance to see how the signs are made.”

Log on for more information or to find a class in your area.

Baby Signs
www.babysigns.com

Born 2 Sign
www.signwithme.com

Hand Speak
www.handspeak.com

Kindersigns
www.kindersigns.com

Sign Babies
www.signbabies.com

Signing Baby
www.signingbaby.com

Signing Smart
www.wideeyedlearning.com

Sign2Me
www.sign2me.com

Jacqueline Bodnar is a freelance writer and the editor of WAHM-Magazine.com – the online magazine for the Work At Home Mom.

 

.

Updated weekly!
Festivals, music, arts events    Storytimes
Parks and recreation events  •  Parent groups

Find it all on the Athens Parent online calendar

© 1998 - Athens Parent, Inc.  All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Send comments or suggestions to: webmaster@athensparent.com