Baby Signing in Learn to Sign week

What is baby signing?

Baby signing is about good communication between you and your baby. It's an excellent way to communicate "two-way". From a very young age, babies can understand you and they are having plenty of thoughts of their own BUT they can't tell you what those thoughts are and that's frustrating!

The good news is your baby is developing their hand co-ordination and can learn many signs to communicate their message to you. Signing bridges the ‛I know what I want but can't say it yet' gap. In short it gives your child a temporary tool for the job until speech comes along and this is a great relief for a frustrated baby and frazzled parents!

The signs can easily be fitted in your normal routine. There is no need to set separate time aside to teach your child. They will pick up the signs as you sign and speak to them. Signing babies can lead conversations and introduce topics to ‛talk' about. They can communicate and be satisfied before crying is even a possibility.

You get an early insight into their thoughts and because there's more interaction and understanding, the bond between you strengthens. As your child starts to speak more they will sign less but the benefits of signing with your baby continue long after the baby years - signing babies have been shown to go on to speak earlier, have wider vocabularies and even higher IQ's than non-signing babies in general.

How can I get started?

Getting started with baby signing is probably a lot easier and less effort than you think. The whole experience is more fun if you can attend a class as the signs are reinforced with music, rhymes and games (plus you get to meet other baby signers). If you can't get to a class download free signs from www.talkfirst.net

These are our top tips to help you get going:

1. Look at your child, say the word and make the sign at the same time.

2. Depending on the age of your baby, start with a few signs most relevant to them e.g. food, sleep, more, milk.

3. There's no need to limit the number of signs used, build up at a pace to suit yourself,

4. Aim for your child to make a connection between the sign and what it represents. E.g. make the sign for eat and then spoon it in!

5. Be consistent with the signs, regardless of how your baby signs them back to you.

6. Some babies sign back to you sooner than others. Even if your baby does not sign back to you for a few weeks, they are taking it all in - so persevere!

7. Repetition and patience are important.

Remember to enjoy it - signing whilst singing can be a good way to learn new signs.

www.talkfirst.net