British Baby Sign Language - an Introduction

So what's it all about? Baby Sign Language or (Baby Sign) is the method of using sign language to communicate with babies before they can talk. It is 

Steadily gaining in popularity worldwide and has many benefits to both the parent and the child.

Many people worry about sign language delaying speech but in fact the opposite has been proven to be true. Baby Signing help develop IQ and language skills and many signing babies actually speak earlier and have a wider vocabulary than non signing babies.

So how do you sign with your baby?

Baby Sign Language is based on the adult form of sign language usually with a bit more flexibility, so signs can be altered to make it easier for little hands to copy. I am writing this article based on British Sign Language.

First off there is some extra information that will be useful to you before you begin.

*You can start signing with your baby at any age but you will get the best results from about 7 months old, this is because your baby's memory will be developed enough to store and use the signs effectively.

*On average it takes 4-6 weeks for the baby to start to copy the signs back to you so you will need to be patient.

*You must be consistent is using the same sign all the time and repetition really is the key to success. You should get other family members and nursery staff to use the same signs too. The more baby sees the sign the quicker he will respond.

*Learn the signs yourself in advance so that you will be prepared for when your baby points at something and looks as you with a questioning face, you will be able to show the sign right away.

*Say the word while you make the sign, make sure the baby knows what you are talking about - point to the object or person or animal, make sure your baby is looking at the same thing.

*Be receptive to your baby's development, when she is taking an interest in communication and is babbling to you then she will be most open to learning signs.

*Make it fun! Use signs in nursery rhymes and action songs, use signs when reading books, make animal noises along with the signs, anything to engage your baby.

Ok so on to the signing. It is best to start with signs that are part of your baby's everyday life, the first three signs that get the best results are;

(You can see the video clips for these signs on http://uk.youtube.com/babysignonline)

Milk, Eat, More

So we will start with those

Milk

To make the sign for Milk:

Make fists with both hands and extend your thumbs and little fingers, hold your hands vertically so that your little fingers point downwards and your thumbs point upwards. Hold your hands in front of your body and move them alternatively up and down as if milking a cow.

Top Tip: Show your baby her bottle and ask her 'Do you want your milk' then do the sign. Say the word 'Milk' whilst making the sign a few times before and after giving the bottle. If you are breast feeding make the sign before your baby latches on, and if possible while she is feeding.

Eat

To make the sign for Eat:

Take one hand and bunch your fingers towards your thumb and bring your hand up to your mouth and touch your lips with the tips of your fingers and thumb.

Top Tip: This sign is for when your baby starts solids. You can ask you baby if he is ready for his dinner and make the sign for eat, take him to his highchair and make the sign again as you feed him.

More

To make the sign for More:

Tap the back of one hand with the other hand.

Top Tip: This is a sign that gets really good responses as it is so easy to do and baby will quickly realise that she can ask for 'more food', 'more game', 'more book', 'more tickle'. Try it when you are feeding your baby, pause in between spoonfuls and wait for baby to look at you, then ask 'Do you want more?' and make the sign.

Obviously it is easier to learn the signs when you can look at a picture or even better still a video dictionary! A lot of Baby Sign companies offer local classes which are a great way to meet other parents and join a group, but if you are too busy or there is no local class near you, you might find learning online is a good option for you.

Hopefully this article has stirred some interest in you and you will go on to discover the joys of signing with your baby!