Children will teach you patience, but you don’t have to exercise patience when you’re in the pre-verbal - and eager to communicate - stage of development. Sign language for babies may seem like a fad to some new and expecting parents, but ask anyone who has bonded with their child through this language and you’ll hear how exciting it is to communicate earlier than you may have ever thought possible.
Teaching children to sign empowers them with the independence to share their requests, as well as answer questions. With just a basic signing vocabulary, a baby can communicate wants, hurts and feeding requests months prior to being able to vocalize these needs in words that a caregiver can understand. Mommy may recognize the difference between the hunger cry and the nap-time fussing, and daddy may be able to translate “ga-ga,” but not everyone can have such insight.
More daycares and independent childcare providers are integrating baby sign language into routines and curriculum due to a demand from parents and babies, but mostly because using BSL creates an immediate connection with a child. Rather than spending time guessing what this cry means or that grunt, a caregiver can ask, “Are you thirsty,” using baby signs and a baby can specify a request for “milk.” Pre-school curriculum that involves and promotes signing, in conjunction with verbal lessons, address the needs of all types of learners - auditory, visual and kinesthetic.
The cognitive ability appears quicker than speech, so by leaning on the hand-eye coordination that also develops before the acquisition of speech, parents and caregivers alike can decrease stress and frustration. Fluid communication keeps patience levels in check and tantrums to a minimum. This is particularly helpful when someone is responsible for several children.
Beyond the immediate gratification of early communication with a child, research has shown that by teaching baby sign language, you’ll be giving a head lasting start thaties who sign exhibit a larger vocabulary and more advanced cognitive skills even years after their verbal skills surface.
And just because baby finds his voice, it doesn’t mean that sign language no longer has a place. As the verbal skills are emerging, a quick sign can be excellent way to clarify meaning. And even later, sign language enables communication from a distance and in a quiet or even silent setting.
With all these pluses, it is no wonder that BSL has found its way into homes and daycares. And as more than just a fad to thl starts by just picking and using a handful of signs...literally, just one handful - st. Stith three to five signs. The;hthen it grow right along with your little tot.
Go visit babysignlanguage. The premiere resource for baby sign language flash cards and video dictionaries you will find their free resources useful at home and in the classroom. |
|
