They may only be decipherable to you in the beginning, but that’s OK-just keep trying together. But keep in mind that, as with speech, their early versions of the words in sign language will often be a bit different at first. In addition to practising on your own, it may be worth signing up for an online or in-person course on baby sign language (if there’s one in your city) to ensure that you’re getting the gestures just right.īefore long (usually by 10 to 14 months), your baby will begin signing back to you. “Avoid using the signs as questions because this can confuse your baby,” says Steyns. Introduce between one and three signs at a time, repeating them often as firm statements and saying and signing the words at the same time. These may include signs like “bath,” if your little one loves tub time, or “dog,” if your pooch is already your baby’s best friend. “But the fun ones are actually important as well because they’re what your baby will likely be most interested in practising with you,” she says.
“Functional signs, such as “milk” and “full,” are a great starting point,” says Steyns. Which signs should I start with?Īlthough any word that relates to your baby’s world can be helpful, there are a few that are particularly useful. “It’s not too late if you wait longer than a year because then they can start combining hand signs with verbal cues,” she says. Some parents are eager to start when their babies are just a few months old, while others wait until their little ones are closer to a year old (and showing signs of frustration) before they begin. But she recommends that parents gauge their own readiness, along with their baby’s, because signing requires learning on their part and committing to a lot of repetition of those hand signs. “Babies are typically at a developmental stage where they are curious to communicate and pay more attention to things presented to them,” says Steyns.
BABY IF YOU GIVE IT TO ME HOW TO
“Many babies who learn to sign actually speak earlier.” When should I start baby sign language?Īround six to eight months old is a great time to start teaching your baby how to sign. “The research is absolutely the opposite,” says Steyns. There’s a misconception that babies who sign are somehow stalled when it comes to verbal communication. That said, babies who learn basic sign language can build on this as older kids, says Steyns.
BABY IF YOU GIVE IT TO ME FULL
The focus is on keywords that are central to your baby’s world (think “milk,” “up” and “done”) and very basic, without any of the advanced grammar or other body language nuances of full nonverbal speech. What exactly is baby sign language?īaby signs are often based on American Sign Language (ASL), but some may teach a variation on it. In addition to helping you better understand each other, learning baby signs can also help with your baby’s developing motor skills and may even boost IQ. “Sign language can create a framework for how you go about your daily routines and help you feel like you’re guiding communication instead of just rolling with the punches,” says Steyns. Learning sign language can give parents a confidence boost, too, especially first-time moms and dads. “Many parents report fewer temper tantrums in older babies who sign,” she says. “Using sign language before they speak can dial down your baby’s frustration and dial up their confidence that you will listen and respond,” says Steyns. One of the biggest benefits is the possibility of fewer frustration-related crying jags. Enter baby sign language: Why should I teach my baby to sign?īaby sign language can encourage babies to communicate, as well as improve parents’ ability to understand what their tots are trying to say, says Lee Ann Steyns, owner of Signing Babies, a Vancouver-based company that teaches baby sign language. OK, is your baby saying “dog”? Or is it “Dad”? And how do you know if they’re trying to tell you they want more mashed sweet potato or want to get down from their high chair? Trying to decipher your baby’s first words and early communication cues can be tricky.
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