Baby Sign Language

As a speech language pathologist, I am a big proponent of using baby sign language.  Prior to saying real words, a child must master rather complex movements of his facial muscles.  Teaching sign language to your baby enables him/her to communicate wants and needs as his/her language develops.

While using sign language with babies is not a new concept, some are wary of introducing it to a baby who is not deaf or hard of hearing.  Teaching signs to a baby will truly promote and encourage language and speech development.  I recently found a great website on baby sign language  http://www.babies-and-sign-language.com/baby-sign-benefits.html.  The benefits listed on the site were:

Promotes the development of language skills

Reinforces language skills already developed

Reduces frustration at not being able to express needs

Increase speed of spatial reasoning development

Develops understanding of language for communication of emotions

Creates feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment!

May increase IQ

Increases creative thinking

Teaches a 2nd language that is formally and nationally recognized (ASL)

Reduces unexplainable emotional outbursts

Increases early literacy skills

Teaches baby how to start (and participate in) a conversation

Teaching sign language to your baby is recommended when the child begins to use his/her hands to signal 'bye bye.'  At this time, s/he is ready to connect a sign to language.  Since I am a crazy speech language pathologist, I've been using some basic signs with Griffin since he was a newborn!  At about 11 months old, he began independently using the sign for 'more' at meal time to request.  Here's a video of Griffin signing for the first time....

There are some really great baby sign language books that I'll post links to on Griffn's book list.  He really enjoys them, and it's amazing how he pays attention to the signs as his dad and I do them.  If you're interested in learning some basic signs, visit this website for some free printable materials  http://www.babysignlanguage.com/.