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Community Corner

Teach Your Baby Sign Language

Sign language is an efffective form of communication that can help babies express their needs before they learn to talk.

Many parents may wait until their baby mutters his first word before they think about communicating with him. But there is another way to communicate with baby long before he starts verbalizing his thoughts.

“Parents can begin teaching sign language to babies who are even younger than one year,” said Alison Graham, certified speech-language
pathologist at River Speech and Education Services, Inc, and Upper St. Clair resident. “For example, when the baby begins to eat solid foods, snack time is a great opportunity to introduce the sign for ‘more’ using hand-over-hand assistance, which simply means that the adult teaching the sign takes the baby’s hands and makes the sign WITH the baby.”

According to Graham, sign language can help many children learn to talk, as it often is easier to learn new things when baby is SHOWN in
addition to being TOLD.

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“A baby can see a parent sign the name of an object, such as ‘book’ or ‘apple,’ or an action, such as ‘more’ or ‘open’, while at the same time, hearing the corresponding word. This process develops both listening skills and visual attention, both of which are important in the development of the spoken language. Many babies and children who begin to learn to communicate using signs will soon after learn to say the corresponding words.”

Sign language can be taught to any baby, provided the baby is in the appropriate state of mind for a “teaching moment” to occur.

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“Parents know their baby best and can tell if it is the right time to teach a sign," Graham said.

The sign for MORE is a great place to start sign language communication, according to Graham. It is performed simply by touching the tips of the fingers together repeatedly and is very easy for both babies and parents to do. An example of when to put the technique into action would be during snack time, when baby is alert and motivated, but not starving, put a few Cheerios in a cup, offer baby one, and as he finishes, ask, 'Do you want MORE?' Take baby’s hands, use hand-over-hand assistance, and make the sign for MORE as you say the word. Then, reinforce the word by saying, 'Here are MORE Cheerios!' Repeat the process as long as the baby is interested.”

Graham suggested that when choosing a vocabulary for baby, think about signs that are both meaningful and useful for the child. The most common words to introduce include those that are relevant to baby’s world and ease of making the signs. These words include eat, drink, more, all done, open, go, mommy, daddy, sleep, play and book.

“Names of family members, pets, and favorite toys, foods or activities also are great to choose from,” Graham said. “These signs are usually included in the vast array of books currently available at any book store or website such as Amazon. Parents also can Google American Sign Language for detailed instructions and videos. Additionally, there are usually sign language classes available at local community colleges, hospitals and community/recreation centers that offer adult continuing education classes.”

Many parents often are hesitant to begin sign language communication, as they feel this might delay a child’s speech, but that is not the case.

“Teaching a baby sign language is never meant to replace verbal speech,” Graham explained. “When doing sign language, it is important to always talk with the baby while signing, and say the corresponding word as it is being signed. Often, signs are a stepping stone to baby actually saying the words. At the very least, signs teach baby the ‘cause and effect’ of communication. Use of sign language gives baby control over his world even when he does not yet have words to communicate his needs and wants.”

Graham recommends teaching one sign at a time, and to base the amount of words taught on the baby’s response. If baby is enthusiastic and picks up on the first sign quickly, it may be appropriate to start modeling signs for other items in baby’s world.

“The timing of teaching the baby signs and the way they are taught are more important than the amount of signs taught. The most important aspect is that it should be a positive experience for everyone involved.”

For more information on sign language communication with babies and children, call Graham at (412) 767-5967 or visit www.riverspeech.com.

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