| So what's it all about? Baby Sign Language or (Baby | | | | that are part of your baby's everyday life, the first |
| Sign) is the method of using sign language to | | | | three signs that get the best results are; |
| communicate with babies before they can talk. It is | | | | |
| | | | | (You can see the video clips for these signs on |
| Steadily gaining in popularity worldwide and has many | | | | |
| benefits to both the parent and the child. | | | | Milk, Eat, More |
| | | | | |
| Many people worry about sign language delaying | | | | So we will start with those |
| speech but in fact the opposite has been proven to | | | | |
| be true. Baby Signing help develop IQ and language | | | | Milk |
| skills and many signing babies actually speak earlier | | | | To make the sign for Milk: |
| and have a wider vocabulary than non signing babies. | | | | Make fists with both hands and extend your thumbs |
| | | | | and little fingers, hold your hands vertically so that |
| So how do you sign with your baby? | | | | your little fingers point downwards and your thumbs |
| | | | | point upwards. Hold your hands in front of your body |
| Baby Sign Language is based on the adult form of | | | | and move them alternatively up and down as if |
| sign language usually with a bit more flexibility, so | | | | milking a cow. |
| signs can be altered to make it easier for little hands | | | | |
| to copy. I am writing this article based on British Sign | | | | Top Tip: Show your baby her bottle and ask her 'Do |
| Language. | | | | you want your milk' then do the sign. Say the word |
| | | | | 'Milk' whilst making the sign a few times before and |
| First off there is some extra information that will be | | | | after giving the bottle. If you are breast feeding |
| useful to you before you begin. | | | | make the sign before your baby latches on, and if |
| | | | | possible while she is feeding. |
| *You can start signing with your baby at any age but | | | | |
| you will get the best results from about 7 months | | | | Eat |
| old, this is because your baby's memory will be | | | | To make the sign for Eat: |
| developed enough to store and use the signs | | | | Take one hand and bunch your fingers towards your |
| effectively. | | | | thumb and bring your hand up to your mouth and |
| | | | | touch your lips with the tips of your fingers and |
| *On average it takes 4-6 weeks for the baby to | | | | thumb. |
| start to copy the signs back to you so you will need | | | | |
| to be patient. | | | | Top Tip: This sign is for when your baby starts solids. |
| | | | | You can ask you baby if he is ready for his dinner |
| *You must be consistent is using the same sign all | | | | and make the sign for eat, take him to his highchair |
| the time and repetition really is the key to success. | | | | and make the sign again as you feed him. |
| You should get other family members and nursery | | | | |
| staff to use the same signs too. The more baby | | | | More |
| sees the sign the quicker he will respond. | | | | To make the sign for More: |
| | | | | Tap the back of one hand with the other hand. |
| *Learn the signs yourself in advance so that you will | | | | |
| be prepared for when your baby points at something | | | | Top Tip: This is a sign that gets really good |
| and looks as you with a questioning face, you will be | | | | responses as it is so easy to do and baby will quickly |
| able to show the sign right away. | | | | realise that she can ask for 'more food', 'more game', |
| | | | | 'more book', 'more tickle'. Try it when you are |
| *Say the word while you make the sign, make sure | | | | feeding your baby, pause in between spoonfuls and |
| the baby knows what you are talking about - point | | | | wait for baby to look at you, then ask 'Do you want |
| to the object or person or animal, make sure your | | | | more?' and make the sign. |
| baby is looking at the same thing. | | | | |
| | | | | Obviously it is easier to learn the signs when you can |
| *Be receptive to your baby's development, when she | | | | look at a picture or even better still a video |
| is taking an interest in communication and is babbling | | | | dictionary! A lot of Baby Sign companies offer local |
| to you then she will be most open to learning signs. | | | | classes which are a great way to meet other parents |
| | | | | and join a group, but if you are too busy or there is |
| *Make it fun! Use signs in nursery rhymes and action | | | | no local class near you, you might find learning online |
| songs, use signs when reading books, make animal | | | | is a good option for you. |
| noises along with the signs, anything to engage your | | | | |
| baby. | | | | Hopefully this article has stirred some interest in you |
| | | | | and you will go on to discover the joys of signing |
| Ok so on to the signing. It is best to start with signs | | | | with your baby! |