Almost every human being is a born communicator. However, until your baby is around 12 months, it may not be able to communicate with words. So, what is the easiest way to interact with your little ones? Let your infants understand sign language; it is the first step in teaching them how to convey ideas to others. By 8 months, babies start imitating gestures, and thus, preschools also focus on teaching sign language to kids.
We have shared some tips provided by speech-language pathologists-
- Put in an early effort. Never delay
When you have noticed your baby’s interest in communication, you can start teaching the gestures. This habit will not cause any adverse effects on your baby. By 10 to 14 months, your babies will easily be able to use proper signs.
- Make sure that you have chosen relevant signs
Choose the most useful, important, and relevant signs for your baby. These signs should be based on your infants’ regular needs. For instance, let them use the right sign when they feel sleepy, thirsty, and hungry.
- Never overlook your little ones’ own signs
With the development of fine motor skills, several babies start inventing signs on their own. They may also modify your signs unconsciously.
- Speak and sign- Do both these activities at a time
While uttering a word, you have to say it loudly. It enables your baby to connect your spoken words with the sign.
- Use sign language regularly
Use your signs frequently and consistently. The most important thing to make your approach successful is repetition. Your babies will learn something when they see a particular sign several times.
- Your face is the biggest factor
Infants like to look at the faces of their parents and teachers. Especially your eyes play an important role when making a sign in front of your face.
- Make the best use of the surrounding objects
If you are signing for an object, make the sign close to or on top of the object.
While using sign language to denote an object, you have to place the object in front of your baby.
- Engage other family members
Similar to parents, other family members play an important role in your baby’s life. From siblings to grandparents, everyone should help your children to use sign language for communication.
- Encourage your infants from the beginning
As soon as your babies have started imitating your gestures, you can take the right step toward teaching unique sign language. Respond to your little ones’ signs to keep infants motivated and interested
There is no need to choose a particular time to teach your infants different signs. You may make gestures at any time, and they can be a part of your baby’s everyday life. Maintain persistence in your approach. For instance, while feeding your baby, you can utter the term “Milk”. It is also better to use the proper sign for Milk. So, start thinking of appropriate mealtime signs for you can use every day when your baby eats food.
Baby sign language- What are the potential benefits?
- Sign language benefits your infants in different ways-
- They can understand your spoken words when their age is above 1 year.
- It will be easier to gain spoken language skills.
- Your infants will learn sentence structure within a short period.
- Decrease in whining and crying in your infants
- There is a chance of a higher IQ level
- Better and stronger bonding between child and parent
Gestures related to different activities
Put your hands together to hold a tilting head, and it is a symbolic representation of sleep. Similarly, by placing a cupped hand to your mouth, you can show that it is time to drink milk/water.
Parents who have already used gestures and sign language claimed that their infants have been able to interact easily. Their little ones can also convey their emotions properly.
Some scientific studies have revealed that infants learning sign language have psychological benefits. They gain self-esteem and confidence. In some cases, the inability to interact properly makes children angry. You can prevent this problem by teaching sign language. It is also important to develop reasoning and language skills slowly.
