One of the very popular parenting trends that has really picked up over the last ten years or so is signing with babies. I have to say it’s a trend that I actually enjoy and think is a very good idea. The idea of signing or using sign language with babies is based on the simple observation that babies at the age of six or seven months that were shown basic signs such as “more,” “done,” “diaper” – those sorts of things – could learn to use those signs to communicate by as early as eight or nine months of age. I think parents, childcare providers and caregivers find this so useful because there tends to be a bit of a gap between when babies know more about what they want and when they’re able to communicate it using language. Signing is a great way for babies to communicate what they want before they are able to with language. That in-between time, in terms of communication, can be very frustrating for babies, and therefore can be frustrating for their caregivers, as well. Introducing these basic signs help babies tell you what it is they want long before they’re able to speak it.
There are a couple basic principles to apply when you introduce your baby to sign language. One is don’t stop talking to your baby. Sign language should not take the place of spoken language because this is a crucial time for your baby to be hearing your voice. Your baby needs to hear spoken words and begin to learn the language even if they’re not yet repeating the words back to you.
Also, make it fun, and don’t worry so much about the formality of the signs. You may use the American sign language signs for things, but don’t worry if your baby isn’t doing it correctly. What’s important is that you’re learning to communicate better with each other. Just like when babies starts speaking and they may not say things quite correctly. You know what it is that they want, the point isn’t that you have to correct everything they say.
So have fun with baby sign language. Just don’t let it take over instead of speaking to your baby, and hopefully it’ll make it so you have less difficulty understanding each other in that period of time while you’re still waiting to hear the sweet sound of your baby’s voice.
