Have you ever wished that your baby could tell you why he is whining? Would you like to be able to prevent a tantrum in the middle of the grocery store? Do you want to give your child an early start in learning language and social skills? Teaching a child to “speak” with simple gestures that identify objects, activities, wants and needs can speed brain growth and decrease frustration for both you and your child.
Long before babies can use spoken words, they can think and have the ability to understand language. Babies can “talk” with signs much sooner than they can use spoken words. They are able to use sign language before they are able to form words. Babies normally start talking between the 10th and 12th months. More complex language skills are developed around 18 months. Sign language allows communication to start around 6 months before most babies have the ability to speak basic words.
Stephanie Webster, of central Indiana, is mom to 22 month - old Aidan. She says that she had mixed reactions from family members when she started teaching Aidan signs at about 6 to 7 months of age. “Some were supportive and others thought it was a crazy idea.” When Aidan was 9 months old, he first signed back to mom. At 12 months he had a vocabulary of 5 signs that he knew and used. They were basic words like “more”, “thank you”, “please”, “eat”, and “ball”. By 18 months, he knew and used 15 different signs. Currently, he knows and uses more than 30 different signs. He’s also begun to combine two signs for phrases like “more, please” or “train, see it”, as well as using words with his signs. Stephanie believes that teaching Aidan signs at such an early age has introduced him to the learning process earlier. He now recognizes 24 of the 26 alphabet letters and 3-4 basic shapes. Aidan’s dad, Josh, reports that while he was among the family members that had been doubtful in the beginning about using sign language, he now sees a decreased level of frustration for Aidan because he is able to communicate more clearly by using his signs. Stephanie agrees with her husband that Aidan’s level of whining is decreased now that he can communicate more clearly by using signs. “He knows the sign for hurt, so he can tell us where he hurts by signing “hurt” over the part of his body that hurts – that’s a big help!” adds Stephanie.
Studies of children who were taught sign language during infancy or toddler years seem to support the Webster family’s experience. Research in 1986 by Joseph Garcia, an American Sign Language interpreter, indicates that babies who are exposed to signs regularly and consistently at 6 to 7 months of age can begin using signs effectively by the 8th or 9th month. Dr. Linda Acredolo is the co-founder of the Baby Signs Institute. She has studied the effects of teaching sign language to babies and reports that the practice can improve the bonding between babies and their parents. A long-term study on the effects of signing with babies shows that children who have learned sign language at an early age tend to be high achievers. When children who were in the study had their IQs tested at eight years of age, they scored an average of 12 points higher than the children who hadn’t learned signs. The same children also achieved higher than average scores on their SATs.
For parents who are interested in teaching sign language to their infants or toddlers, it’s easy to get started. All one needs to do is Google “baby sign language” to find information on books, videos, flash cards and web sites that feature word lists and their matching signs.
PBS features a wonderful television show called Signing Time! The program teaches babies, toddlers and young children to communicate using American Sign Language. This show reaches children by encouraging conversation through signing, speaking, singing, and dancing. Dr. Joseph Garcia’s book or video - Sign with Your Baby is highly recommended as well.
Whether you teach your baby sign language or not, your baby will use a few gestures of his/her own. By teaching a more structured sign language you will reduce your child’s frustration levels, increase the parent - baby bond and be able to share your child’s world long before he can use spoken words to talk to you.
This article was written by Wendy Sharkey, a nurse on the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Answer Line (314.454.KIDS).