Pros and Cons of baby sign language. Do you or do you not do this with your child?

Question

And why?

Answer 1

I think it's great! I have taught my daughter a few signs, like "more" and "eat" and "drink". She also made one up for "mama" which means she wants to nurse.

It's great because it's so hard to understand them sometimes when they start to talk. My daughter says a lot of words that sound like "daddy" but she doesn't always mean daddy. She says "daddies" for crackers. So, it can be confusing. But, if you teach them to sign, you can get a better idea of what they want, which leads to less confusion for both of you!

Answer 2

I am Borderline Profound Deaf. When I had my daughter, I did not know sign yet, as I was mainstreamed because I was "good" at lip reading. That is, I never went to a deaf school, never was exposed to sign language. I wish now I had known it so I could have taught it to my daughter... we've had some serious communictation issues because of my deafness. I did not learn sign language until the first time I went back to college when I was 28.

Sign language is a true language, it is separate and distinct from "just gestures and grunts". It has syntax, structure, and grammar. As a matter of fact, American Sign Language (ASL) is among the list of "approved as official by the government" languages in the U.S. language registry. Signing Exact English (I and II both) is not, because it is based on the already recognized language of spoken English, but it still carries all the other requirements for a communication system to be considered a language. At any rate, what I'm getting at here is that I too would discourage "grunts and gestures" from a child learning to communicate, whether that effort comes from signed language or from spoken word. Grunts and gestures are not communications, they are manipulations... they are an entirely different form of behavior. Signs are legitimate communications. Language is a system of symbols used in consistently ordered ways to communicate, and sign language is not different from the spoken word for that very reason.

Even for "hearies", I'd recommend signed language wholeheartedly, because I've found, since I have learned the language in my later life, that there are many concepts and thoughts that just cannot be expressed better any other way... spoken language has its limits too. ;) And the more resources there are for communication, the better a family can understand and support each other, and belong together in.

Answer 3

I work with children with exceptional needs, and know the positive benefits of using sign language with babies and toddlers who cannot speak. We not only use sign at the preschool I work at, but I used it with my second child starting when she was about 10 months old. After a few trials, she starting signing back using the simple signs I had taught her for "milk", "more", "eat" and "cracker". Of course, I started with signs that would have motivating results- her favorite drink and crackers. Once she understood that in order to get the requested item, she would have to sign for it, she was more than willing to participate. Over time, she learned nearly twenty signs for things she wanted- all before she ever learned to speak a word. This helped greatly with the frustration to communicate her wants and needs that would have been incapable otherwise. The minimal effort it takes to teach a child a sign and implement it into daily life is well worth the satisfaction that your child gets from being able to communicate with you. Many people assume that because toddlers dont' have words that they don't have anything to say. This is so untrue! They have wants, needs and feelings just like adults do- they just can't articulate them yet. By giving them an outlet for expressing themselves and a way to tell their caregivers what they want, you empower a toddler. Sign language is a valuable source for both parents and toddlers to begin communicating. Often people get confused and suggest that sign language will delay speech. Not true. It actually encourages language and communication skills by giving them a way to "talk" to those who care for them. When using signing, it is important to also say the word along with the sign, so that the child associates the spoken word with the sign and the object. Start with a preferred object (toy, favorite food, bottle) so that it is extremely motivating for the child to learn the sign. Then, incorporate it into your daily communication with your child so that it becomes second nature. My youngest that I signed with is now 3 1/2 years old, and still signs occasionally as an afterthought when she is speaking. She has been talking in sentences since she was two (3-4 word) and now talks in 10-17 word sentences. I have used signing for the last 5 years working with children with language delays and other communication disorders (such as autism) and signing WORKS. You can check out some simple baby signs at http://www.babysigns.com.

Answer 4

I do sign language with both of my sons and I plan to do it with my daughter when she is born. Some people don't consider sign language as being another language like Spanish. But I believe it is. Learning another language is always a plus. Besides my sons learned to communicate early and it cut down on them being stress that they can't get their needs met. I don't think it prevents a child from talking because I also say the word or sentence. And they knew the difference between signing something and saying the word. I know this because if I asked them to sign the word milk they would and if i would say "say the word milk" they would say it. But it is up to the parent to decide what they want to do for their child.

Answer 5

I would do this. The only con to baby sign language is that kids sometimes do delay speaking by a month or two. My brother had delayed speech from autism (we didn't have a name for it back then) and baby sign language actually would have helped.

Answer 6

I have been a student of sign language for 6 years now and have a really fun story to share. I am pro teaching babies and children sign language.

Two of my friends from my very first ASL class got married. Since they both were students of ASL as soon as their child was born they started teaching her ASL. They worked on simple things such as Mom, Dad, milk, eat, drink, poop. The things that a baby might need to communicate on a daily basis. Before their daughter was speaking (she was still in the random babble stage of language development) she was able to tell her parents what she wanted and what was wrong when she cried. Sure she was not fluent but she was able to communicate with her parents before she could talk. Which can make parenting a little easier.

As she got older they widened her ASL vocabulary as well as her English vocabulary and by the time she was 5 years old she knew how to read, speak, sign, and spell most words she came into contact with. At dinner one night she was asked by her mother "what is that?" (her mother pointed to the butter on the table. "Butter" she said, then she did the sign for butter, and proceeded to spell it "B-U-T-T-E-R Butter." I have done a lot of work with children in grades 1-3 as a California Certified Reading Specialist and I have to say that at the age of 5 this is remarkable. Her parents (and I) credit her understanding of the English language to her knowledge and understanding of ASL.

Keep in mind that ASL is not SEE (Signing Exact English) it has its own grammar and is different from English. However, since children develop many motor stills before language skills, teaching them to communicate through ASL from childhood is a great way to help them understand the English language, or any language.

Here is an excerpt from one website about baby sign:
"By the age of 12 months most babies have uttered their first words and can understand many more words in spoken language but they have not yet mastered the skills to verbalize their own thoughts. This is where baby signing can play a vital role. We already sign with our children, using finger plays, waving bye bye and many other intuitive hand signals that do not come from any formal signing system.

Signing allows babies to communicate from a younger age, reducing frustration and tantrums on the part of the child. This in turn means that the parent/carer is better able to meet the needs and wants of the child.
Parent-child bonding is also said to be enhanced by the close interaction with the parent(s) spending time positively interacting with the baby as they teach them to sign. "

I know that when my husband and I start to have children in the next year or so that we will be teaching them sign language. Hope this helps =)

Answer 7

I totally am for signing with infants, toddlers, and children of all ages. Aside from it being a second language, it is also extremely handy for children who can't adequately describe their needs. I have worded with many verbal and nonverbal children and sign has always helped us out. A great example is when I took a child to a play date and he was having trouble keeping his temper in check. All I had to do was look at him and sign "No, Play nice" and he stoped his behavior. This totally saved a seen at the park and didn't interupt their game.

Answer 8

I wish it was available in my area when my girls were small enough. There's a Baby Signs class offered now at the hospital I work at, and it is AMAZING to watch those babies communicating with the world, learning so quickly, and being so excited... I absolutely recommend it. You wouldn't believe what their little minds are capable of.

Answer 9

If you want to help your child understand to see effectively, maybe not with TV and films, computer programs and programs, as well as the college process is the answer, this program, Children Learning Reading, from here https://tr.im/cvR33 is.
For a child to effortlessly learn and grasp reading abilities they need regular interest from one or both parents. With this specific at heart, nevertheless, the classes are held short from 5 to fifteen minutes a day.
With Children Learning Reading system you will also construct and enhance your relationship with your child not just how to read effectively.

Answer 10

No I do not, I mean naturally when you 1st start communicating with your child, there are hand gestures that come naturally that are used, however, they come natural, I was more concerned with teaching my children how to talk, and saying colors and singing ABC's, thats stuff they need to do, my daughter is 4 years old and with patience and making learning fun, she can write, neatly, her entire uppercase and lower case alphabet, and she knows all the sounds the letter make, to me, that is more important than sign language.