Do You Understand Your Baby's Cries?

Do you understand your baby's cries? Most mothers will tell you that they know a distressed sound from an upset sob or a frustrated whimper. Wouldn't you agree that it would be so much easier if their little one could just say what he/she needs or wants.

With baby signing, infants are introduced to nonverbal gestures that substitute for words. Each time adults say a particular word, they make the accompanying gesture. Experts say children as young as 6-7 months can learn to sign.

Babies can reap emotional rewards from signing, as well. Being able to sign means they can tell parents/caregivers when they're hungry, tired, or want something. Signing allows babies to communicate in very simple terms and they are less likely to cry in frustration or throw tantrums because they are misunderstood.

We all teach our babies to wave bye-bye and nod for yes and shake their heads for no, and these are all signs, so if they can learn three sign then why not more?

Want to know more about communicating with your baby... try signing... you'll be amazed...! learnbabysignlanguagenow.com

Published Articles on Baby Sign Language

Imagine your baby telling you exactly what they want before they start to cry and well before they can talk. Now you can experience what experts and parents all over the world have been raving about. Baby Sign language really works and it’s so easy to do!

Research has shown that typical signing babies speak earlier, develop larger vocabularies, and become better readers than non-signers. There are so many positive stories from delighted parents who have happy babies with less frustration and enhanced self esteem and confidence.

I have published many articles about the Benefits of teaching Baby Sign Language. All of these articles can be read on my website LearnBabySignLanguageNow.com

Teaching Kids to Sign Promotes Early Speech

Have you ever heard people say that if you teach kids to sign that they wouldn't talk? Well a recent article actually discussed this concern and they are stating what I have always believed, that the opposite is true!

Check out this article - http://lubbockonline.com/life/2010-06-01/baby-sign-language-helps-children-talk-sooner Corwin said. "What we've actually found is the opposite. If you teach kids to sign, they'll begin talking sooner. So it's a myth that it will stunt the growth of speech."

Adapting the use of sign language is a very useful communication tool and also promotes a deeper bond between baby/toddler and parent/caregiver.

If you have any early speech experiences using baby sign language BSL we would love to hear from you.

2 Years & Up

Now that your child is 2 years old you may be wondering whether signing will still be an important role in your toddlers daily development. You have come a long way since you began signing with your child and now that he/she may be entering preschool and soon the kindergarten years you might be surprised how signing can be of use to you.

Your child is now learning and understanding his/her capabilities of independence, improved language skills and social interaction and signing will help develop all of these areas by giving a way to communicate when frustrated or can't yet say the words.

Potty Training - something that you will be facing soon if you haven't already. Using signs is a discrete way to overcome any embarrassment that your child may have if he/she needs to go or has missed the opportunity. Signs such as potty, change, wet or dirty can help signal/alert you that it is time for action.

Has signing with your toddler helped you in anyway when potty training or have you experienced any funny or eye opening experiences that you would like to share?

Baby Signing Myths

Those that say babies can't learn to sign are people who have never seen it for themselves.

These skeptics may think that it is just baby using gestures or that the parent is seeing something that is not really there and making it up as they go along. Unfortunately, these skeptics are not going to be convinced until they see it for themselves. I have met many non believers and only once they actually see the baby signing and communicating with their parent/caregiver do they really understand that there is a real following of non-verbal babies and toddlers able to communicate their wants and needs.

Also, sign language does not replace spoken word for hearing babies and they are not slower to talk as some may think. In fact, babies who learn sign language are often quicker to talk than other children who have not learned to use sign language. The reason for this is because of the verbal use of each word as the baby is learning each sign. They are learning a new spoken word and its sign at the same time.

Are you a believer in baby sign language and have you tried it for yourself and used signing with your child?

Signing Games

Sign Book

You can very easily create a sign book for your baby. This is a great way to have fun and teach your baby sign language. Put photos of your family inside and teach the signs for mother, father, baby, sister, brother. Photos of dogs and cats are also a good idea. Think of the signs you wish to teach your child and spend time together searching for pictures of these objects in old magazines, postcards or calendars. Cut them out and glue these into your baby's sign book as well.

What is in the Bag

Put different objects inside of a bag or a box such as; balls, flowers, stuffed animal, etc. Encourage your baby to pull out these items. Sign the appropriate sign and say the word with lots of excitement and enthusiasm!

Do you have any games that you have either created or been using to help develop baby sign language with your child, we would love it if you would share them with us?

Is Speech Development Inhibited because of Baby Signing?

Through two decades of research, much of it funded by the National Institute of Health, Dr. L. Acredolo and S. Goodwyn have demonstrated that babies who signed were consistently more advanced in their language and speech skills than babies who never signed.

Some parents/caregivers may worry that encouraging their baby/toddler to use signs might hold them back from learning to talk. Research has shown that advanced development improves older children's language skills; toddlers at 2 that had been signing had significantly larger vocabulary than their non-signing peers and that by the time they were 3 their language skills were more like 4 year olds. The reason is simple, just as children who learn to walk stop crawling, babies who sign stop signing after they can talk.

Signing with your Baby acts as a bridge that helps the transition from pre-speech to the spoken language. Baby signing teaches babies useful lessons about how language works which speeds up the process of learning to talk.

To learn more about Baby Sign Language refer to learnbabysignlanguagenow.com

What have been your experiences with speech development?