Baby Sign Language: Benefits and Implementation
Baby sign language has been around for over 200 years, but it’s only in the last 20-30 years that it’s really gained recognition in being a useful resource for parents and caregivers for a multitude of reasons. The evidence is certainly mounting in regards to the benefits for families in using baby sign language with their little ones; many of which will be indicated here. I have personally been using baby sign language with the children I look after for almost 10 years and can definitely attest to the advantages this has provided.
First, I’ll present to you the many benefits of starting to use baby sign language, then I’ll offer some suggestions for when to start, and how to implement this into your day with your little ones.
Benefits:
Ease frustration as your baby will be able to communicate their needs to you
Boost brain development as language skills are improved, as well as increased abilities in effective communication over children who have never signed.
Increased vocabulary and early speaking
Bond with your baby through mutual understanding and increased opportunities for eye contact
Increased confidence and self esteem
Fewer angry outbursts are documented by parents even into toddler and school aged years.
Your baby will be able to let you know when s/he’s hungry, tired, cold, hot, thirsty… and more.
When to start, and what to do:
You can begin to use baby signs as early as you like, but the recommended age would be between 6-8 months; when your baby is able to hold your gaze and see your hand motions. Having said this, if you’re just learning about BSL now and your child is older but still pre verbal, you’ll still be able to implement these signs and reap the benefits. Now, don’t go into this with the sense that your baby will immediately start signing back to you; you’ll be sorely disappointed! Start exposing them to the signs (start with just a few basic signs at first, maybe 3-5) on a daily basis; repetition and consistency are key. If you do this, you’ll be delighted to see your baby reciprocate at around 9-10 months (approximately 2 months after you start).
My recommended signs to start with would be:
Milk/Bottle
Eat
Hot (to indicate a hot oven/stove or food/drink)
Cold
All done
More
Of course, as you progress, you’ll get to know your child’s needs specifically and be able to determine where they get frustrated so you can focus on that. The above signs are the ones I’ve found to be most useful over my career. There are many more that you can incorporate, as well as play based signs such as “ball”. For me, this wasn’t a priority, but if your child really takes to signing then let their interests guide you.
Baby Sign Language is based on traditional ASL (American Sign Language) signs (depending on where you’re located in the world), however it’s important not to think of baby signing in such a formal way. Unless you’re planning on incorporating sign language into a long term second language for your baby, it should be used in a flexible, baby led way. For instance, upon introducing the sign for “milk”, if your little one imitates but in a slightly different form or movement, you can definitely adjust your sign to fit theirs. It’s all about communicating with each other and reducing frustrations; therefore you want to keep things fun and adjust it to suit your family.
Recent research has been debunking the previously believed notion that signing to babies delays speech development, and it is now widely accepted that it not only doesn’t negatively impact language and speech development, it actually promotes this development. With this, it is important to remember that it’s still advised to encourage your baby to express themselves verbally (although this comes later, when developmentally appropriate). The idea of baby sign language is to allow them to communicate before they are even physically capable to forming verbal language.
Even when your child reaches the toddler years and is completely verbal, these signs can come in handy at those times when your little one gets so overcome with emotion that they just cannot find the words to express themselves verbally.
Tips for using BSL alongside promoting speech development:
Always say the word with the sign
Repeat the word along with the sign; enunciating for clarity.
When your child starts copying the signs, repeat it back to them verbally
Once they are verbal, or showing signs of being verbal, encourage them to attempt the word verbally. Let them know you understand what they want, to avoid frustration, but praise any attempts they make to be verbal.
To conclude, I am a huge advocate of using BSL and I fully recommend it for all the reasons I’ve stated above. Why not give it a try, and you and your little loves can reap the benefits for years to come!!
Resources
https://psychcentral.com/lib/teaching-your-baby-sign-language-can-benefit-both-of-you/
https://www.babysignlanguage.com/?v=7516fd43adaa
https://www.parenting.com/gallery/baby-sign-language-words-to-know
Follow me on Instagram for more @guidinglittlehands