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Imagine
that your 8-month-old daughter is crying and you don't know why. Is she
hungry? Tired? Needing a clean diaper? How can you tell? Did you know that
there is a way for your baby to tell you what she wants? Through simple yet
amazingly effective signs, babies learn to express their wants, needs and
observations in a manner that is clearly understood.
Research
conducted by the American Speech and Hearing Association conclusively
indicates that babies who sign tend to have a stronger command of verbal
language and often begin speaking at an earlier age than babies who do not
sign. There are a number of benefits to using sign language for children,
parents and teachers. Common, simple signs include: more, eat, drink, help,
bottle/milk, bed, book, diaper change. Once babies begin signing and learn
to express themselves, new signs emerge, such as ball, baby, stop, play,
dog and cat.
- There are many toddlers who
are not yet using verbal language. They may simply need more time
before they are ready to use words to communicate. Signing enables the
child to communicate with you and their peers without frustration.
Learning a few basic signs may also enable them to communicate with their
friends.
- Signing has been proven to
enhance early literacy skills. By adding visual and kinesthetic
emphasis to auditory input, signing has been proven to enhance early
literacy skills for success in reading, writing, vocabulary, spelling
and memory.
- Signing enhances the use of
fine motor skills. It naturally promotes the development of fine and
gross motor skills, dexterity and coordination.
- Signing builds self-esteem.
Since American Sign Language (ASL) is visual and often iconic, signs
can be quickly learned, understood and used to communicate. This
offers the child a strong sense of empowerment. Children can control
the topic of conversation and express their unique interests at an
earlier age. What better way is there to show our children that they
are valued than to "listen" to what is really important to
them and to understand what they are trying to convey?
- Signing augments language
development. Signing continues to bridge the gap between a child's
ability to understand language and his ability to articulate it.
- Signing also helps children
develop larger vocabularies. By age 2, signers have an average of 50
more spoken words than the non-signers. By age 3, many signers speak
and understand language at a 4-year-old level.
Benefits for teachers and parents:
- Signing can minimize the
"terrible two's." Frustration from the inability to identify
emotions and express feelings is a major contributor to tantrums.
Signing not only helps toddlers label their emotions, but it can also
be used as a tool by parents to help children express their feelings
appropriately. A child can sign what he or she wants without screaming
or crying.
- Signing helps parents and
teachers understand their toddler's early speech. When signs are used
in conjunction with talking, parents can decipher their toddler's
speech. "Ba" might be ball, bottle, book or balloon.
"Ma" can be more, milk, mommy or mine. When the child learns
to sign along with verbalizing the word, the guessing game is
diminished.
- Signing increases
communication. It enables the child to convey meaning. When children
know that others can understand them, it builds their self-esteem.
- Parents and teachers can
communicate or discipline silently with signs when appropriate — when
other children are napping nearby, when disciplining in the presence
of peers or when having "potty" conversations. It also comes
in handy in libraries, restaurants or churches. No matter where you
are or what position you are in, using sign language instead of your
voice allows you the opportunity to communicate privately and
silently.
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