Ever Wished You Could Read Your Babies Mind?

Imagine a world without speech; where you knew exactly what you wanted but had no way of expressing these needs to the people around you. This is the reality for our babies and toddlers before they learn to talk. They suffer the limitations of a world without speech. By 6 months of age they know exactly what they want but have no means of communicating this to you. There is no wonder they become frustrated. Even when they do begin to talk, it is some time before they are able to get their little mouths around all the words that they will need to express themselves effectively. Baby Sign Language can help to ease this frustration by providing a means of communication to bridge the gap.

Baby Sign Language is based on ‘keyword signing’ and involves the use of simple gestures for words that are important to the baby. Each gesture is to be used with repetition of the associated spoken word making babies more interested in the meaning of keywords from an earlier age. It should never replace the need for the spoken word.

Baby Sign Language is becoming increasingly popular. Many people won’t realise that its use is supported by over 30 years of research. Some people who do not recognise the long term benefits of signing with their hearing babies may be excused for thinking that it is a fad or the latest passing trend in modern parenting. However the research is clear and the parents already using Baby Sign Language are united. It is a very simple solution to a very frustrating problem.

Infants already use an extensive range of facial expressions and body language to communicate with their parents and Baby Sign Language is a natural extension of this behaviour. They squirm when they are uncomfortable; put their arms up to be picked up when you walk by and later they learn to point at things.

Babies are fascinated with movement, especially when the movement is performed by a parent. In the beginning the baby will associate the movement with the word. In the case of ‘milk’, this association is made easily as they are rewarded with their favourite comfort and associate this with the gesture. This ties it all together; the use of the gesture and the spoken word followed through with the actual item.

The first step is having them understand what you are signing to them. It is suggested that you only use one sign such as the sign for ‘milk’ at this early stage so they don’t become confused. You can begin this as early as 3-4 months of age. With the sign for ‘milk’ it is easy to recognise that you have been understood when they go into flapping frenzy and get excited. By about 8-9 months of age they will be able to ask for ‘milk’ by replicating the sign. As a parent this is just as exciting as any other milestone they reach. Once they are able to sign back to you, slowly introduce another sign or two until you develop a vocabulary for all the important things you would like to communicate.

Growth and brain development during these early years, especially the first 2 years is more rapid than at any other stage of a child’s life. One of the most crucial milestones in a child’s development is the development of their social skills and the ability to interact appropriately with others. The basis for appropriate social interaction is effective communication. The benefits of Baby Sign Language also include earlier communication, reduced frustration, increased language comprehension and further opportunities for bonding between parent and baby.

Teaching Baby Sign Language also teaches your child that there is more to communication and social interaction than just words. Effective communication does involve hand gestures, body movements and facial expression. Being a visual language it is fascinating to children as it stimulates their curiosity and attentiveness towards further communication.

Some parents express concern that using Sign Language may inhibit the speech development of their child. There is no cause for concern however; because you are using ‘keyword signing’ you are enhancing the comprehension of the word not replacing the need for spoken language. It is very important that you continue to use the spoken word with the gestures to enhance the speech development. National Institute of Health funded research demonstrated that babies who were using Baby Sign Language were able to communicate with spoken language 3 months earlier than babies who were not. Even more astounding was the fact that these same children went on to develop language comprehension skills that were 12 months ahead of their peers by the time they reached school age. The easiest way of teaching toddlers to talk is using Baby Sign Language from a very early age.