3 Simple Techniques To Teach Your Baby Sign Language

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C o m m u n i c a t i o n is a vital p a r t of y o u r relationship w i t h your b a b y , right f r o m day o n e . You w i l l enjoy a unique v i b e with h i m , like f e e l i n g his f i n g e r s to s e e i n g him s m i l e at y o u .

S o m e of t h e first r e a c t i o n s from y o u r baby w i l l begin d u r i n g the t h i r d month. T h i s is t h e time y o u can u s e sign l a n g u a g e to i n t e r a c t with t h e little o n e . Signs a r e a c r u c i a l technique t o build r a p p o r t with y o u r child, w h e n he i s in t h e toddler p h a s e and i s mastering v a r i o u s motor, a u d i t o r y , visual a n d speech s k i l l s .

W h a t is B a b y Sign L a n g u a g e ?

B a b y sign l a n g u a g e is a pre-verbal c o m m u n i c a t i o n with y o u r little o n e . Babies w i l l understand b e t t e r with v i s u a l clues e v e n before t h e y start t a l k i n g . Babies w i l l begin t e l l i n g you w h a t they n e e d , what t h e y think a n d how t h e y feel, a f t e r they a r o u n d seven m o n t h s .

S i g n i n g is a mode f o r them t o express t h e i r wants b e f o r e they c a n properly s p e a k . It g i v e s them a unique s t r u c t u r e on w h i c h they c a n build t h e i r spoken l a n g u a g e later.

L e a d i n g experts e n d o r s e the b e n e f i t s of s i g n language. I t stimulates t h e development o f the b r a i n and e n h a n c e s the b u i l d i n g of y o u r baby’s b r a i n circuitry.

W h e n Can Y o u Start T e a c h i n g Your B a b y Sign L a n g u a g e ?

T h e best t i m e you c a n choose i s when y o u observe y o u r baby h a v i n g a d e s i r e to c o m m u n i c a t e . They l e a r n to s i g n before t h e y can t a l k , so y o u should g e t a s t a r t early.

S o m e babies s t a r t learning s i m p l e signs w h e n they a r e at s i x months. B u t they m a y not g e t the c o n t r o l over h a n d to s i g n back u n t i l they r e a c h eight t o nine m o n t h s . You c a n begin t o teach s i g n s to y o u r baby w h e n you t h i n k he i s ready, e v e n if h e cannot s i g n you b a c k .

C o m m u n i c a t i o n becomes e a s i e r once y o u r baby c a n sign h i s needs. Y o u should a l s o talk w h i l e you s i g n so t h a t he c a n relate t h o s e words t o signs.

H o w Does B a b y Signing W o r k ?

W e use g e s t u r e s as a part o f our c o m m u n i c a t i o n while w e talk. B a b i e s are s m a r t enough t o pick t h e s e gestures u p , and t h e y use t h e m to c o m m u n i c a t e . How o f t e n we s e e a b a b y waving b y e or r a i s i n g her a r m s asking h e r mother t o carry h i m ! Here, h e has l e a r n e d to s i g n .

Y o u r baby’s a b i l i t y to u n d e r s t a n d the l a n g u a g e and m a k e gestures d e v e l o p s better t h a n his a b i l i t y to s p e a k . So, h e uses s i g n s to h e l p you u n d e r s t a n d what h e wants e v e n before h e can t a l k .

T h e idea w a s taken f u r t h e r to t e a c h babies a vocabulary o f signs b y Dr. J o s e p h Garcia, a child d e v e l o p m e n t expert. H e noticed t h a t the b a b i e s who c a n hear, b u t their p a r e n t s are d e a f can i m i t a t e their p a r e n t s ’ gestures t o communicate w i t h them. H e also o b s e r v e d that t h e s e babies a r e less d e m a n d i n g than o t h e r s because t h e y can e x p r e s s their n e e d s and t h o u g h t s better.

T h i s made D r Garcia d e v e l o p a s i g n language.

T h o u g h baby s i g n s do n o t promise t o cut o f f tantrums o r tears, b a b i e s of s i x months a r e taught s i g n i n g language s u c c e s s f u l l y , and t h e r e are m a n y organizations i n the U S and o t h e r countries w h i c h run b a b y sign l a n g u a g e classes.

T e a c h i n g Baby S i g n Language:

W h e n you b e g i n sign l a n g u a g e with y o u r babies, y o u need t o repeat t h e signs s e v e r a l times. O n c e she l e a r n s these f i r s t few s i g n s , you c a n teach m o r e . You m a y start w i t h signs, w h i c h you u s e frequently a n d evoke i n t e r e s t to y o u r little o n e .

A . Basic F a m i l y Signs:

S i g n s that r e f e r to i m p o r t a n t people i n baby’s life are t h e favorites. N o t only w i l l your l i t t l e one l o v e using t h e signs b u t also t h e adults l o v e to t e a c h those s i g n s .

1 . Mom:

M o m is g e s t u r e d by t a p p i n g the t h u m b on y o u r chin. A c c o r d i n g to A S L (American S i g n Language), m a l e signs a r e above t h e nose a n d female s i g n s below.

‘ M o t h e r ’ is t h e first s u b j e c t for y o u r child.

T o teach y o u r baby t h e sign l a n g u a g e of ‘ m o m m y ’ , extend a n d spread y o u r fingers a p a r t .
B r i n g your p a l m closer t o your f a c e and t a p your t h u m b on y o u r chin.
S a y “It’s m o m m y ” while d o i n g so.
E v e r y time y o u r baby y e l l s for y o u , you c a n repeat t h e sign.
S l o w l y , your l i t t l e one w i l l get a c c u s t o m e d to t h i s sign.

2 . Dad:

D a d is g e s t u r e d by t a p p i n g thumb o n your f o r e h e a d . Mom a n d dad s i g n s are s i m i l a r .

P a p a has t h e second m o s t important p o s i t i o n in y o u r baby’s a s s o c i a t i o n s .

T o sign ‘ d a d d y ’ , spread o u t the f i n g e r s of y o u r palm j u s t like b e f o r e .
N o w , tap y o u r hand o n your f o r e h e a d with y o u r thumb.

3 . Grandmother:

G r a n d m o t h e r sign i s similar t o mom.

T a p your t h u m b over t h e chin.
N o w , you s h o u l d make a double m o t i o n away f r o m the f a c e .

4 . Grandfather:

G r a n d f a t h e r sign i s similar t o dad.

T a p thumb o n the f o r e h e a d .
N o w , you s h o u l d make a double m o t i o n .

I f you h a v e pets a t your h o m e , your b a b y will q u i c k l y form v i s u a l associations. T h e y will c r e a t e a g r e a t interest i n your b a b i e s .

5 . Dog:

T o call a dog, y o u have t o sign b y tapping y o u r hand o n the t h i g h .

6 . Cat:

T o sign c a t , using b o t h hands p i n c h your t h u m b and i n d e x finger b y the s i d e of e a c h cheek.
N o w , keep a l l the r e m a i n i n g fingers s t r a i g h t .

B . Food S i g n s :

T e a c h i n g some s i g n s associated w i t h foods i s also i m p o r t a n t so t h a t babies c a n signal w h e n e v e r they a r e hungry. I t helps t h e m ask f o r food i n a c o n s t r u c t i v e way r a t h e r than c r e a t i n g a f u s s .

1 . Milk:

M i l k is y o u r baby’s f i r s t food. Y o u may b e breastfeeding y o u r infant o r giving b o t t l e milk o r a m i x t u r e of b o t h .

I f you w a n t to h i n t at t h e breast m i l k , simply s i g n near y o u r chest a n d say ‘ m i l k ’ .
I f it i s a b o t t l e feed, m a k e a s i g n with y o u r hand s l i g h t l y cupped, a s if y o u are h o l d i n g a b o t t l e . Then s a y , ‘milk’.

2 . Eat:

I t is a basic w a y of c o m m u n i c a t i n g .

M a k e the s a m e hand g e s t u r e that y o u would t o show t h e action o f eating.
T a p on y o u r lips w i t h your f i n g e r or p o i n t in t h e direction o f your m o u t h and s a y ‘eat’.

3 . More:

T o sign m o r e , tap y o u r finger t i p s together.

I t is a flexible s i g n that i s useful i n various c o n t e x t s .

4 . All D o n e :

T o sign a l l done, t w i s t your h a n d s back a n d forth. Y o u r baby c a n use t h e sign t o say t h a t she h a s finished e a t i n g .

T r a i n i n g Your B a b y :

W h i l e sign l a n g u a g e is f u l l of f u n , you m a y sometimes s h o w urgency t o equip y o u r baby o r feel a n x i o u s about t h e way y o u r little o n e responds. H e r e are a few t h i n g s to r e m e m b e r while t r a i n i n g your b a b y with t h e sign l a n g u a g e :

H a v e Fun: Remember t h i s is a l l a p a r t of t h e fun. Y o u experience t h e great m e m o r i e s interacting w i t h your c h i l d while s h o w i n g him t h e signs.

Repeat: You h a v e to k e e p repeating t h e signs e v e r y day s e v e r a l times u n t i l your t o d d l e r gets a hang o f the a s s o c i a t i o n s . Be p a t i e n t as t h e learning c u r v e can v a r y among c h i l d r e n .

Encourage: Give y o u r child t h o s e little p r i z e s after m a s t e r i n g the a r t . A r e w a r d could b e anything l i k e a w a r m cuddle, t h e story a t bedtime o r a t a s t y finger f o o d that y o u r infant l i k e s .

Expand: Keep t a l k i n g while g e s t u r i n g . A l o t of k n o w l e d g e absorption h a p p e n s in t h e first y e a r of y o u r baby’s d e v e l o p m e n t .

S e t Sensible E x p e c t a t i o n s : You c a n start t e a c h i n g signs t o your c h i l d irrespective o f his a g e . However, m o s t of t h e children c a n n o t communicate w i t h signs u n t i l they r e a c h eight m o n t h s .

S i m p l e Signs: Begin w i t h signs t h a t describe r o u t i n e activities, o b j e c t s and r e q u e s t s like m o m , dad, e a t , drink a n d so o n . Also, s e l e c t the s i g n s that p i q u e interest i n your b a b y . Encourage s i g n s that a r e meaningful.

L e t It B e Interactive: Hold y o u r little o n e on y o u r lap w i t h her b a c k to y o u r tummy. E m b r a c e her h a n d s and a r m s to t e a c h signs. U s e signs w h e n you c o m m u n i c a t e with h e r . Also, s i g n when y o u bath, d i a p e r her, f e e d or r e a d for h e r .

R e m a i n Patient: Do n o t discourage y o u r s e l f when y o u r baby c a n n o t use p r o p e r signs. T h e main a i m is t o reduce f r u s t r a t i o n and i m p r o v e communication.

T o o l s For E a s y Learning:

T h e r e are s o m e great o p t i o n s available i n the m a r k e t to f a s t track t h e learning p r o c e s s . Buy t h e s e only a f t e r your c h i l d gains e n o u g h footage w i t h your p e r s o n a l training.

DVDs: Interactive D V D s w i t h rhymes, s t o r i e s and g e s t u r e s will i m p r o v e your c h i l d ’ s focus.

F l a s h Cards: Use a s many f l a s h cards a s possible. T h e y are a v a i l a b l e in d i f f e r e n t sections s u c h as p e o p l e , foods, a n i m a l s , plants, e t c .

T e a c h i n g Guide: A g u i d e is u s e f u l in c a s e you n e e d a s p e c i a l boost t o your m o d u l e .

S i g n i n g Dictionary: This w i l l help y o u r baby w i t h the r i g h t signs.

W a l l Chart: A t i m e – t e s t e d method, w a l l charts c r e a t e a s t r o n g visual i m p a c t on t h e young m i n d .

T h e s e are s o m e easy w a y s to h e l p you t e a c h baby s i g n language. A s you a r e the b a b y ’ s first t e a c h e r , you s h o u l d alone i n d u l g e in a n interactive a n d innovative p r o c e s s of l e a r n i n g .

B e n e f i t s Of B a b y Sign L a n g u a g e :

T h e r e are s e v e r a l benefits f o r a b a b y utilizing s i g n language. A few o f them a r e :

1 . Earlier C o m m u n i c a t i o n :

I t will b e troublesome i f you c a n n o t figure o u t what y o u r baby r e q u i r e s . Sign l a n g u a g e can c o m e to y o u r rescue a s they c a n be t a u g h t before y o u r baby l e a r n s to s p e a k . Signs d e v e l o p in t h e first n i n e months w h i l e words b e g i n to c o m e around 1 2 months.

2 . Larger V o c a b u l a r y :

O n c e babies b e g i n to s p e a k , signers a r e at t h e edge. W h e n a t y p i c a l 18-month-old b a b y can u s e 10 s p o k e n words, t o d d l e r s who h a v e learned s i g n s can u s e 20 s p o k e n words a n d about 6 0 sign w o r d s .

3 . Decreases T a n t r u m s :

M o s t of t h e early t a n t r u m s develop b e c a u s e of t h e child’s i n a b i l i t y to c o m m u n i c a t e his n e e d s . By h e l p i n g your c h i l d learn s i g n language, y o u will n o t i c e that t a n t r u m s decrease a s they c a n communicate m o r e easily w i t h signs a n d speech.

4 . Increases C o n f i d e n c e :

S i g n language c a n instill c o n f i d e n c e in y o u r babies a s you c a n see t h e m feel p r o u d when t h e y get w h a t they w a n t . For i n s t a n c e , if a h e asks f o r a c o o k i e and g e t s it, h e will b e happy a n d can r e p e a t the s i g n s .

5 . Creates I n t e r e s t In B o o k s :

W h e n you r e a d through a picture b o o k by s i g n i n g to y o u r baby, i t will h e l p her i n t e r a c t more w h e n you r e a d for h e r . It i n c r e a s e s their i n t e r e s t in b o o k s and u l t i m a t e l y pave a way t o early r e a d i n g .

6 . They B e c o m e Smart:

A c c o r d i n g to r e s e a r c h , children w h o can h e a r when t a u g h t sign l a n g u a g e have b e t t e r spelling a n d reading s k i l l s and r e l a t i v e l y 12 p o i n t s higher I Q than t h o s e who d o not u s e the s i g n s .

7 . Wonderful B o n d i n g Experience:

T e a c h i n g sign l a n g u a g e can i m p r o v e mother a n d baby b o n d i n g . You w i l l get d o w n to t h e i r level w h i l e teaching s i g n s , interact w i t h them, t a l k , make e y e to e y e contact a n d describe t h e sign. Y o u will b e showing y o u r baby h o w to m a k e the s i g n s . All o f these w i l l increase t h e bonding w i t h him.

B a b y sign l a n g u a g e inspires p a r e n t s to s p e a k clearly, w i t h greater e m o t i o n and i n c r e a s e d pitch v a r i a t i o n s . Research s u g g e s t s that t h e sing-song v a r i a t i o n of s p e a k i n g , also k n o w n as ‘ i n f a n t – d i r e c t e d speech’ w i l l help y o u r baby l e a r n to t a l k .

D i d you a l s o use b a b y sign l a n g u a g e for y o u r child? H a v e you g o t more i d e a s to s h a r e ? Do w r i t e to u s on t h i s .

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