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Parentpedia
Sign Language
What Experts Say
What parent, at one time or another, hasn't held their crying, fussing infant and wondered, if only she could tell me what she needed. If you're a part of the growing movement of parents who teach their infants Baby Sign Language, then you already know you can communicate through simple signing gestures.
Using American Sign Language, a parent or caregiver can begin teaching a baby as young as 6 months simple signs for commonly used terms such as "more," "drink," "sleep," "eat," and "thank you." Use the signs consistently, and in two to three months, your baby will likely begin to signal what he needs or desires.
Some parents worry that the use of signing may diminish or...
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Will learning to sign delay my kid's speech development?
We started introducing sign language the day we brought our daughter home. Now she is a year old and right on cue for developing speech. Plus she can sign 20+ words! It helps us to meet her needs and it really lowers her frustrations. When she was at her one year well baby check, the doctor was impressed how well our daughter could understand what we were saying to her and follow simple directions. The doctor said that it was probably because we helped her develop early communication through sign language!
How do I start teaching my baby sign language?
Start by teaching just a handful of signs, no more than three. Use signs for things that you and baby do most frequently: eat, drink, milk, all done, sleep, diaper. It doesn't matter that you use official sign laguage just so long as you and baby's caregivers are all being consistent.
What are some easy signs I can learn (and teach)?
1. Milk: put out one hand and make a grip motion with your fingers, open and shut a few times.
2. Eat: put fingers to mouth
3. Drink: pretend to be holding a glass and motion to your mouth as though you were drinking it.
4. More: Draw both hands together with fingers drawn to the thumb, tapping the tips of both hands against one another.
Would seeing videos help my baby learn better?
You don't need to buy any videos or special books to start communicating with your child. Just patience and repetition.
Use the signs yourself. Videos are great but baby will learn from watching you.
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Helpful Resources
Baby Sign Language
An introduction to benefits of using baby sign language
1 week ago
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Baby Signs®
World's Leading Sign Language Program for Hearing Babies
May 05, 2008
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Starting Off With Sign Language for Babies and Toddlers
A mom explains why she started signing with the kids, the product she used, and the results she saw.
January 11, 2008
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Signing = Language
We didn't teach our 6-year-old, but wanted to try it when our son was born. I love it! He's 2 and talking now, but he still signs, esp. when throwing a tantrum. It actually seems to help him calm how. First word signing? Mom. First word... read more
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March 19, 2008
baby signing time
I have found that these videos are a great resource for helping to teach your little one sign language. my son is picking up everything just by watching the baby signing time videos. they use little kids and they do the signs along after... read moreNot Acceptable?