Babies can signal with their hands long before they can coordinate their vocal cords to produce coherent sounds. Developing this ability to bridge the communication gap with them will result in better child rearing, happier parents and less frustrated babies who don’t cry all the time. Simply, sign language is an alternative to crying, which is the only method babies are inbuilt with, to express their needs.
Babies cry for many reasons, when they are hungry, thirsty, sleepy, tired, hot, cold and sick or are in need of a diaper change. Where parents can identify some of these needs, majority of the time it is difficult to figure out the exact reason for their crying. And the frustration at not being able to stop the baby from crying by relieving them of their discomfiture can be very stressful indeed. Especially for new parents, who are not experienced enough to identify their specific needs.
There is no longer a necessity to continue this constant crying and frustration, as a new way of communication is possible to avoid it, giving parents the capability to understand their non verbal child. It is a very rewarding task to introduce this method to new parents, sign language, which will undoubtedly help improve their relationship with each other. And the reward for babies? Less crying and a happier childhood with the ability to understand their surroundings and be in harmony with their needs.
How can new parents use sign language with their babies? It is not very difficult to teach a baby to sign. With enough patience, perseverance and determination any parent can teach their baby to sign. Here are a few tips to follow to make this task easier and more productive:
· Stick to a recognized signing language, such as American Sign Language (ASL). Where as inventing your own signs can be interesting, it is advisable to stick to a known sign language that has been researched to enhance the baby’s capabilities and improve their eye sight, auditory and motor skills, amongst others. It will also be useful for the baby to sign with various caregivers as well as other toddlers when they grow older.
· Always use the sign you wish to teach your baby, along with the verbal word. Repeat it each time you use the sign, even when the baby has learned to sign it.
· Continue using the signs the baby has learned as often as possible, inventing opportunity for the baby to use it. But do not repeat it consecutively which may bore your baby and provoke them to stop signing.
· Begin with a few simple, easy signs and gradually keep adding new signing words. Do not go overboard with the additions, even if the baby picks up fast.
· Reward the baby when they excel in a new signing word. This will help keep their attention and provoke them to learn more words.
Signing is considered a temporary phase by many parents, until their babies grow old enough to speak. But it needn’t be so, you can continue to sign with your growing toddler, making them use coordinated gestures more often, which in turns helps improve their over all coordinated behavior. Signing with older toddlers is known to have many positive effects in their growing up process.
Baby sign language is a wonderful gift to introduce to any new parent to make their parenting life a more interesting, exciting and a stress-free experience.
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