Most parents can already understand their child’s needs and desires from a very early point – just by learning to know and listen to their baby. But teaching your baby to communicate through sign language from a very young age seems like a wonderful way to develop this even further. Could it be something for you? Does it really provide benefits for all?
Research shows that early communication with signing can help by;
1. Allowing an infant to communicate accurately their thoughts, needs and feelings before they can speak.
2. Reducing frustration for babies. The second year of life can be one of great frustration for infants and their carers. One of the major causes of tantrums is the toddler’s inability to communicate.
3. Giving a window into the infant’s mind and personality, as they can communicate outside of the here and now.
4. Enhancing parent-child bonding, facilitating a close relatinship between parent and child.
5. Promoting excellent interaction. Why? Because when using signing, parents automatically adopt positive interaction strategies such as following the child’s focus of interest, making eye contact, speaking slowly, and using simple key words (Goodwyn et al, 2000)
6. Facilitating an adult’s ability to interpret early attempts at words and to assign meaning to them (e.g. Thomas says ‘ba’ and signs bath, and says ‘ba’ and signs ball. Because he is using signs as well, his dad knows exactly what he wants.
7. Helping to develop an interest in books. Using signing alongisde looking at books allows an infant to become an active participant in the story telling and their interest in books soars.
But there are many arguments to the contrary. Have a look at the following article to give a fuller picture and links to further information. This should help you to make your mind up for what is best for you and your child!