Teaching Baby Sign Language

Infants or what we call babies are those that fall in the age bracket 0 to 12 months.  During these years, the baby cannot yet talk as adults do.  This is why some parents teach their child baby sign language. 

Baby sign language is a way of communicating to your baby using hand shapes and motion with assigned meanings.  This method uses the American Sign Language.  Teaching the sign language does not mean your child is deaf or mute.  Although your baby can hear, they do not yet have the ability to speak making communication with them difficult. 

Baby sign language was discovered and developed by the research of Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn and Joseph Garcia.  The sign language is composed of hand and finger signs that could mean words such as “hungry”, “sleepy”, and “wet” among others.

Teaching baby sign language is not that difficult to teach and learn.  It is the same as when you are learning a new language by starting with simple words.  Teaching your baby how to make sign can start from six to nine months.  All that is needed is to have hand coordination skills.

When teaching the baby sign language, you should give your complete attention.  Start with the words that is usually done with the baby such as “hungry”, “poop”, “wet”, or “hurt”.  Then use the sign as often as you interact with the baby.  In this way you are connecting the signs with the objects.  When you have taught the basic words and signs, you can now start with other signs that would indicate foods, family, and emotions such as “pain”, “I love you”, “sorry”. 

Remember that your baby is learning so do not get frustrated when he or she cannot get it the first time.  The baby will learn in its own pace so do not pressure him or her or nothing will be learned.  When the baby will make the sign, do not expect it to be the same as yours so when teaching, pay very close attention to the signs the baby is making so you will recognize what he or she wants to convey.

Infant or baby sign language can also be used for children with developmental problems.  Not all children have the same learning pace and sign language can be a key in solving developmental delays.  Moreover, children are taught to express feelings without rage.  This is a good way for them so they can start early in containing their anger by not shouting or hurting anyone. 

Aside from the benefits that the infants can gain, the parents are also able to understand them when they want to say something.  When in a hospital setting, nurses can give the best care immediately to the infant because they can express what they feel.  Caregivers and family members taking care of the baby will not have a difficult time guessing what the baby needs.  Also teachers and assistants in day care centers can provide a new way of teaching children as well.