![]() ![]() Here are some of them: A bridge for communicationīaby sign language can empower babies and toddlers to communicate needs and wants with caregivers before they’re verbal. However, there are plenty of other potential benefits of teaching sign language to your hearing child. Benefits of baby sign languageĭespite widespread claims that baby sign language promotes speech, and enhances spoken language development or verbal communication, there’s not much evidence to support this, especially beyond 24 months of age. Hearing babies who are taught ASL signs often start using hand gestures to communicate around 8 or 9 months old. They note that you can start earlier, but you’ll likely need to wait longer to see any payoff. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests starting around 6 months old. Not only will this help your kiddo learn faster, but it also helps ensure that your baby is understood when they start signing back. How amazing is that? Tip #6 Include other caregiversīe sure to let your child’s other caregivers know how to perform the signs. Don’t be discouraged! Once your little one’s fine motor skills start to develop (around 8 - 9 months), they’ll be able to start using their hands to communicate effectively even though they’re preverbal. It can be a couple of months before you see the return on your investment. Patience is important, especially if you begin using sign language when your baby is young (4 - 6 months). ![]() Remember to look for words that: (a) you’ll use frequently, (b) are easy for you to remember, and (c) are relevant to your baby’s care or interests. Tip #4 Add signs as you goĪdd more basic signs to your repertoire once you get the hang of your starter signs. This will help your baby link the visual gesture to the verbal sounds. The sign is meant to accompany, not replace, the spoken word. Tip #3 Accompany, not replaceīe sure to make the hand gesture as you verbally say the words. Try to use the sign every time you say the word throughout the day for the best results. At the end of each meal, you can be “all done” while turning your palms toward them and then back toward you. When it’s time for breastmilk or formula you can ask your baby if they’re ready for milk while squeezing your fist at the same time you say “milk.” When your baby is in the high chair eating solids, you can pause between bites and ask them if they want “more” while bringing your fingertips together. Įxample: Let’s take a look at an example with a 6 - 7 month old baby. For example, it’s common to start with basic signs related to food. Pick common baby signs for words that you frequently use and are easy to remember. Instead, you can start by choosing a few signs in American Sign Language and incorporate them into your daily activities. Don’t worry! You don’t need to set aside extra time for signing. It may sound daunting, but teaching your hearing baby to use sign language can actually be pretty simple. That said, using this tool daily may just make your life easier (and better!) - so, why not give it a try? We all have our parenting toolkits and need to fill them with what works best for our individual families. ![]() It’s also just a really fun way to interact with your kiddo!īut I’m not going to tell you that you must use baby sign language to improve language skills and bonding between you and your hearing child. I’ll be honest with you - I'm incredibly passionate about baby sign language, having seen the amazing impact it had on my children's ability to communicate. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |