Babies sign language is a popular communication technique that parents and caregivers of small children use to communicate with each other before the child can use speech effectively. Parents can start teaching a modified version of ASL (American Sign Language) to their children as early as six months old. Babies can learn a few basic signs for everyday objects and things they want and need. Toddlers and older children can benefit from learning baby sign language as well.
If you really want to teach sign language to your baby here are few helpful tips for learning sign language
1.) Start Sooner than Later
First of all it is best to begin teaching your child as young as a few weeks old they will understand what signs mean much sooner. It is a lot like teaching your child how to speak a foreign language, the sooner you incorporate it into their normal routine the easier it is for them to learn.
2.) Make Signing Part of "Normal Conversation
When talking with your child, be sure to make it "normal" when you ask them if they are thirsty gesture the sign, if you ask them if they are all done, use the gesture. Incorporating sign into your everyday living makes the learning process flow, and the learning process seamless.
3.) Make Signing Fun
Make a game out of signing, see how many signs your child has retained be saying the word associated with it and see if they can gesture it back. Don't forget to reward them with stickers, snacks or by using your own personal reward system. Learning sign languageshould be fun, not a chore. Learning to communicate is a reward in itself.
4.) Use Resources to Your Advantage
Small children tend to take a great interest in anything on TV. Buying a movie that will help teach your children sign language can be very effective in helping them learn.
There are also a number of books that are great for younger children, as well as websites which have a directory, almost similar to a traditional dictionary, of words in sign language.
5.) Buy or Make "Flash Cards"
One of the most effective ways for a child to learn anything is through visualization. Help your child learn sign language by making "flash cards" for each and every word that you are teaching them. You may be able to find them online to print out. If not, you can try photocopying and enlarging words from books or if you are artistic, you can even make your own.
6.) Another way of Communicating
One thing that you should keep in mind when you are trying to teach your children how to sign is that it is important to associate the sign or gesture with the word associated with it. When we learn languages, we associate objects with words. Well, with sign language, we associate words objects with gestures. Keeping this in mind will make teaching your child sign language easier in the long run.
There are several benefits of teaching your child baby sign language:
- Early development of language skills
- Advanced mental development
- Increased vocabulary
- Less incidents of tantrums due to frustration in communicating
- More parent-child interaction
You can experience these benefits with your child when you teach your baby sign language. You will be amazed at how much your little one has to share with you and how much fun it can be to learn together. Your child will be able to express their needs and wants to you and experience the joy of communicating with you about their world.
No comments:
Post a Comment