How baby sign language improves communication.

Baby Sign Language Improves Communication

By Laura L. Brady, AuD, CCC-A, Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center I nfant sign language really does deliver on its promise of improved experience, keep these tips in mind: • Use the “true” sign. Take communication. This is the time to learn the particularly appealing for accepted sign based on new parents, given that American Sign Language there’s a well-recognized gap (ASL) so that others who between what babies and may sign will understand toddlers want to say and what your baby and your baby will they are able to say. understand them. • Keep signs simple. Choose GETTING STARTED signs that are of most interest To get the most out of to your child. In addition to your baby sign language using formal signs, use natural gestures, such as pointing and the hand movements that accompany nursery rhymes like the “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” • Make it interactive. Try holding your baby on your lap, with his or her back to your stomach. Try hand-overhand signing: Do the sign yourself, then gently hold your baby’s arms and hands to make signs. • Use real time signing. Use the sign paired with an activity. Sign “eat” as you eat, sign “book” as you are holding a book, sign “book” and “all done” as you finish the book, sign “milk” as you show a bottle. • Speak and sign. Be sure you don’t cut back on the amount of time you spend talking with your baby. As long as signing does not take the place of speaking, it won’t get in the way of your baby’s learning to talk with her words as well as her hands. • Close counts! Don’t worry if your baby doesn’t get the signs quite right. If you’re not sure, model the sign as you say the word again. Remember, the goal is to have fun communicating and lessen frustration, not add to it! • Share your signs. Be sure you share your signs with your baby’s other caregivers so that everyone can join in (and understand) the conversation once your baby begins to sign.

EARLY FAVORITE SIGNS

• Ball • Hot • Bath • I love you • Bird • Milk (often used for bottle) • Book • Mommy • Cat • More • Cup • No • Daddy • Please • Diaper • Sit • Dog • Sleep • All done • Star • Drink • Thank you • Eat • Up • Go • Water • Happy • Yes • Help