Baby Signing

Sign language has been used for many years now in the deaf community, but only recently has the idea of baby signing been introduced. I have used it myself, and there is no doubt that a baby who is able to make his or herself understood is a much more contented baby, and does not experience much of the frustration shown by many babies when they are unable to make themselves understood. It is also claimed that a baby who is fluent in signing will actually verbalise sooner than a baby who has no signing.

There are various classes available around the country, and they are recommended for babies of six months upwards, although obviously you are the best judge as to whether your baby is ready to begin to learn signing. However, it is not necessary to attend a class so do not worry if you can not find one near to where you live. It is possible to purchase copies of a DVD entitled "Sing and Sign" which you and your baby can watch together, but it is vital that you take part with your baby. As you watch the DVD you join in with the songs and do the signing so that your baby can see you, and then consolidate the signing into your everyday activities with your baby. For example, always use the sign for 'drink' and 'eat' whenever you offer your baby food or drink, reinforcing the signs with the correct words.

After you have been doing the signing for a few months, your baby will begin to copy the signs himself; it is really important that you praise your baby when he does this - we always say "Give yourself a clap" which the baby really enjoys doing. When your baby gets a really positive reaction to his efforts he will want to carry on signing.

Once your baby is able to use all the signing on the DVD, you can obtain the follow-on DVD called "More Sing and Sign." By this time you will find that your baby is signing to you all the time, and the frustration that is apparent in many babies who are unable to make themselves understood is largely absent in babies who can sign, and therefore your baby will be more contented than otherwise. You will also find that by this time your baby is using several words, but do continue to use the signing alongside
the words you use to him. We have found that our toddlers still enjoy watching the DVDs and will often ask for them to be played.

If you have older children who did not learn signing when they were babies, they too will enjoy learning the signs so that they can communicate better with their sibling.

I cannot recommend baby signing strongly enough - it is a joy to see the pleasure which the baby gets when his signing is understood, and it definitely makes life easier all round for both mother and baby.