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So What’s it all about? Baby Sign Language or (Baby Sign) is the method of using sign language to communicate with babies before they can speak. It is

 

Becoming increasingly popular worldwide and has many benefits for both parents and child.

 

Many people worry about delaying speech in sign language, but in fact the opposite has proved true. Baby Signing help develop the IQ and language skills and signing many babies actually speak earlier and have larger vocabularies than non-signing babies.

 

So how can you sign with your baby?

 

Baby sign language is based on the adult form of sign language in general with a little more flexibility, all signs may be modified to make it easier for small hands to copy. I write this article based on British Sign Language.

 

Firstly there is some additional information that may be helpful before you begin.

 

* You can begin signing with your baby at any age, but you get the best results of about 7 months, because the memory of your baby is sufficiently developed to store and use signs effectively.

 

* On average, it takes 4-6 weeks for the baby to begin to copy the signs back to you so you must be patient.

 

* You must be consistent in using the same sign all the time and repetition is really the key to success. You should get other family members and nursery staff to use the same signs too. The baby can not see the signs sooner it will respond.

 

* Learn the signs you in advance so you’re ready for when your baby to point something and you look with a face in question, you’ll be able to demonstrate the sign immediately.

 

* Say the word as you sign, make sure the baby knows what you are talking about – point to the object or person or an animal, make sure your baby will look the same.

 

* Be responsive to the development of your baby, when she takes an interest in communication and chat with you then it will be more open to learning sign language.

 

* Make it fun! Use signs in nursery rhymes and action songs, signs used to read books, make animal sounds and signs, nothing to engage your baby.

 

Ok so after the signing. It is best to start with signs that are part of the daily life of your baby, the first three signs that get the best results;

 

(You can see video clips of these signs http://uk. Youtube. Com / babysignonline)

 

Milk, Eat, More

 

We will therefore begin by

 

Milk

To make the sign for milk:

Make fists with both hands and extend your thumb and little finger, hold your hands vertically so that your little fingers point downwards and your thumb up point. Hold your hands over your body and move them alternately up and down as if milking a cow.

 

Top Tip: Teach your baby a bottle and ask “You want milk” can not sign it. Milk say the word while making the sign a few times before and after giving the bottle. If you are breast feeding make the sign before your baby latches on, and if possible while she eats.

 

Eat

To make the sign “Eat:

Take a hand and fingers to strip your thumb and put your hand over your mouth and touch your lips with the tips of your fingers and thumb.

 

Top Tip: This sign is for when your baby starts solids. You can ask if baby is ready for his dinner and make the sign of eating, take him in his highchair and make the sign again as you feed.

 

More

To make the sign more:

Press the back of a hand with your other hand.

 

Top Tip: It is a sign that gets very good answers because it is so easy to do and the baby will quickly realize that it may ask for “more food”, “game over”, “more product” “more tickle.” Try it when you feed your baby, pause between two spoons and wait for baby to look at you, then ask ‘Do you want more? and make the sign.

 

Obviously it is easier to learn the signs when you look at a picture or even better a video dictionary! Many companies offer courses in local baby sign are a great way to meet other parents and join a group, but if you’re too busy or there is no class near you, you might find online learning is a good option for you.

 

Hopefully this article has generated some interest for you and you’ll discover the joys of signing with your baby!