Baby Sign Language and Why It’s Important

Baby Sign Language and Why it’s Important

 

 

Teaching your children American Sign Language is great for babies and young children because it provides another way to dialogue to help further language skills. In addition, it enhances children’s thinking process and creates better problem-solving techniques, higher critical thinking, and has been linked to academic achievement.

There is no right or wrong time to start teaching your child American Sign Language, but it is recommended to start teaching your child basic signs at about 6 months old. The words “milk” and “bed” are great first words to teach as it has universal meaning across children, whether they are formula fed or breast-fed milk is their food source.

There has been some speculation that teaching your children sign language causes verbal delays, but that has been proven not to be correct. Research clearly shows there is no drawback to teaching children sign language.

It is important to note that at 6 months you are introducing them to the signs so don’t be discouraged if they don’t start signing right away as it tends to take a couple of months for them to start using it.

Before there is verbal communication it can be difficult to assess the wants and needs of your child. Teaching them sign language can help bridge this gap.

Here are some great first words to teach:

 

 

 

Do you teach your child sign language? Why or why not?

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