Sign Language
Why use sign language with (hearing) babies and toddlers? Won't signing discourage babies from learning to talk?
The answer: Actually, it's the exact opposite. Research shows that pairing spoken words with signs actually helps babies' language develop FASTER! Babies can coordinate their little hands at an earlier age than they can use their mouths to articulate sounds and words, so signing is actually easier for a baby's developing brain and body!
What else is awesome about signing, you ask?
- It improves joint attention (meaning: you and I paying attention to something, together)
- It helps kids learn to imitate (a critical foundation skill for language development)
- It supports the development of symbolic thought (note: words are also symbols)
- It teaches kids that they can influence their own environment to get their needs met (this motivates more intentional communication)
- It gives kids' brains more information than words alone (visual + auditory vs. auditory only)
- Signs can be held longer if the child needs more time to process (this supports working memory)
- It reduces frustration for both parents and children (fewer tantrums? yes please!)
These smart little signers also learn very quickly - once they are ready and able - that (a) it's more efficient to simply say the word and (b) more people will understand spoken words than signs. They really don't get stuck in the land of signing forever. Think of it as a bridge or a tool used to help your child get to words.
I encourage you to try out signing with your baby! You can check out https://weehands.com/dictionary.html for a visual signing dictionary for many common baby signs.