Want to Find Out What Your 9 Month Old Baby is Thinking? Teach Them Baby Sign Language!
Infants are constantly observing and taking in all that surrounds them. Their little minds truly are sponges. Why not give them the skills to communicate with you and give you insight to what they are thinking? Pick up a book on baby sign language or search online for baby sign language videos, such as the Signing Time DVDs (also on local public broadcasting networks). You’ll be glad you did for several reasons. The most adventageous reason being that by giving your child the gift of communication, you will be subsequently eliminating many of the problems that arise with the “terrible twos.” You will be taking away much of their frustration, thereby ridding their need for tears/acting out! They will be able to tell you that they are hungry, thirsty, tired, hurt, etc.
I began signing with my first child at 6 months of age and by 9 months she was using her first signs: more, all done, bath and hungry. She would wake up in her crib, call for me and tell me she was hungry and wanted some milk. From there she could tell me she wanted food, etc. It was amazing to watch her learn the signs so quickly and fun to watch her incorporate them into her “language.” She was able to sign many of the basic day to day signs from American Sign Language and in doing so, made our days much happier. By the age of 15 months she was able to verbally say more than 60 words. It is believed that this was largely due to her learning how to communicate effectively at such an early age. She would sign the word she wanted to communicate and then gradually was able to drop the sign as she picked up the verbal word. Signing did not hinder her speech development, it boostered it.
Learning American Sign Language along side my daughter was a wonderful and magical experience and it continues to be one today. She is now 3 years old and learning more complicated signs. She has been successful communicating with people in the deaf community as well. The look on their face and hers as they sign back and forth is precious and priceless. Now that our second child has arrived, she is helping to teach him the signs she knows and we are together learning again. After having had such great experiences with teachinig my babies how to sign, I really can’t understand why someone would not give it a try.
Beacause it is so difficult to find the time to read with small children, I suggest learning through the use of DVDs as the children can learn right along side you and you don’t have to constantly run to the book to look up a sign. The Signing Time Series really makes it easy and fun to learn. Give it a try. You will be so glad you did!
