Using Baby Sign Language

Specialized sign language is sometimes used to communicate with infants and toddlers. While infants and toddlers have a desire to communicate their needs and wishes, they lack the ability to do so clearly because the production of speech lags behind cognitive ability in the first months and years of life.

Proponents of baby sign language say that this gap between desire to communicate and ability often leads to frustration and tantrums. Hand-eye coordination develops sooner than acquisition of verbal skills, allowing infants to learn simple signs for common words such as "eat", "sleep", "more", "hug", "play", "cookie", "teddy bear", before they are able to produce understandable speech

Proponents say that teaching sign language to infants improves communication skills between the child, parent, and other caregivers. Infants also quickly learn to match an item with a certain gesture, thus communicating what they are truly thinking, feeling, and needing.

Proponents say learning sign language promotes the development of language skills and reinforces language skills already developed. It increases the speed of spatial reasoning development as well as increasing early literacy skills. Babies who communicate through signs are much happier than babies or infants who do not. They are less likely to throw tantrums and in some cases develop a higher IQ. Giving children the power to communicate their wants and needs can help them develop self-esteem, social-emotional skills and an ability to communicate effectively. Proponents say it teaches infants how to start as well as engage in a conversation. Proponents say it creates feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction.

Children can begin to learn sign language at between six and eight months of age. At this age, a baby can hold a gaze for a couple of seconds. Teaching usually starts with three to five signs. Because speaking remains a goal, words are usually used along with the signs. Eye contact and emphasis on the word also help.

Since the appropriate time to begin sign language instruction can vary, a good indication is when the baby begins to use or mimic simple hand motions like waving bye or hi. With consistent instruction, most babies will produce their first sign after 2 months, however, some babies have produced their first sign after just 2 weeks of instruction. It is best to start with a few basic signs that can be accompanied by a direct action or object for easier association. As the baby begins to sign some basic words and makes the connection that hand gestures convey a message, additional words can be added with greater ease as the baby will be more receptive and attentive to hand motions

Source: Wikipedia.org