What Is Baby Sign Language
Baby Sign Language is the use of simple signs with preverbal children to allow them to communicate through basic gestures with parents, family and childcare workers.
Since children do not develop their vocal skills until about 18 months of age, but have the physical capability to use their hands as a means of communication, signing bridges that preverbal gap reducing frustration for children and parents.
Sign language is not universal, contrary to what many people believe, and in Australia the national signed language is called AUSLAN. The use of AUSLAN allows for consistency in teaching and use throughout the country rather than the use of made up signs or ASL (American Sign Language).
Baby Signing and communication skills
Since hand-eye coordination is possible in advance of the acquisition of verbal skills, infants can learn to express their needs using simple signs for common words such as “eat”, “sleep”, “more”, “hug”, “play”, “cookie”, and “milk”, etc., before they are able to produce understandable speech.
When to start baby signing
The advantage of baby sign language is that you can start teaching it to your baby quite soon after they are born. Most children are cable to begin signing at around six months of age once they can hold a rattle or a toy. That is the age at which most infants have the eye and hand coordination to be able to sign a request to their parents.
Benefits of baby signing
Research into baby sign language has indicated that children who have been taught baby sign language from a young age have shown a higher intelligence quotient and a greater ability to learn a second language later in life. Yet another benefit of Baby Sign Language is that it can help expand the vocabulary of a toddler. Once they have learned this simplified form of AUSLAN most children continue to use it up until the ages of four and even five years old.
Studies done into Baby Sign also show that teaching your child sign language at an early age also stimulates brain development and gives your child of a head start when it comes to developing language and social skills.
Critics of Baby Sign Language say that it creates a reliance on non-verbal communication and therefore gives the baby less motivation to learn how to speak. On the contrary, there have been studies done that show that children possess a wider vocabulary range at a younger age when they have learned Baby Sign Language.
The pros far outweigh the cons when it comes to babies signing with the biggest bonus for a parent being a higher level of communication with your child.
In summary, teaching your child baby sign language can see the following benefits:
- Higher levels of communication between parents and babies
- Well adjusted babies who are able to communicate effectively with lower frustration levels
- A faster uptake of verbal communication skills and increased comprehension levels.
Good luck and happy signing!
For more information on Baby Sign Language Products and Classes visit Australian Baby Hands.
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