Imagine an 8-month-old baby being able to use a baby sign to say that he is hungry instead of whining...
Sounds exciting, doesn't it?
Baby sign language is a quite new trend, growing rapidly.
Studies have shown that children that had learned to sign had a
higher IQ, that they actually start talking earlier and with a better vocabulary and that they are less frustrated.
Sounds great, right!?
Well, maybe that's true, but isn't your baby already the cutes, most wonderful and brightest on the planet...? I know all of mine are...
I think there is another even stronger reason: Why not just try it out to have fun together with your baby and maybe to be able to understand him better and faster?
One mom also told about another advantage. Her child, now old enough to play outside in the garden, can use signs instead of shouting to his mom, when she talks to him through the door or window.
When to start signing with your baby is very much up to you. You can start early, and maybe get your baby to start doing signs already at 7 or 8-month-old.
Or you start later, when your baby is trying harder to communicate by use of words, faces and hands. This way you'll probably notice a result faster.
Baby signing is not difficult! But it can be hard to actually get going. "I'll start tomorrow..."
Attending a class is a perfect way to learn how to do it and to actually get around to start. And it's fun! But if you can't find a course that works for you, buy a book or a DVD.
If you do want to buy a book or a video, consider the work of Wendy Jensen (mother of 6 - now that's an achievement!). She has put together a package of e-books and a video to get you started. It is all based on American Sign Language and Wendy's extensive experience of teaching children to sign.
To check out her offer, click here.
Another option is to just buy one of the two popular books, Baby Signs by Linda Acredolo et al or Sign with your baby by Joseph Garcia. However only Garcia actually uses proper American Sign Language, so if that is important for you, go for his book.
However, if you're not American and you'll have to buy an additional book with your country's sign language, then either of the books may be a good help.
I suggest you use signs from the sign language in your country. That way both you and your child actually learn a new language that is useful where you live.
Also, if your baby will go to a day care center at some point, chances are higher that the teachers will be able to interpret your baby’s signs if they are the “real thing”.
If this is not at all important for you, go ahead and make up your own signs! In this case, you may find the book make Baby Signs by Linda Acredolo et al. inspiring.
Don't be too ambitious. Pick only one or a few signs to start with. Signs for food, drink, sleep and pacifier mayby f your child uses one.
As you need to do the sign more or less every time you refer to that word, you will not be comfortable having sign in each and every sentence. At least not in the beginning before you get used to signing.
Just as babies understand words long before they show it, the same goes with signing.
Depending on your baby's age and interest, he might start using the signs after only a few days or after several weeks. If it takes time, don't be discouraged.
Ask your spouse and older siblings to help out. This way your infant will se the signs more often and everybody in the family will be able to understand the baby's signs when he starts doing them.
There are quite good resources on the web if you want to learn more.
For example you are likely to be able to find pictures of specific signs in your country, as well as forums to discuss baby signing, classes to attend, books and more.
