Intro: Have you ever heard or seen an infant having a tantrum? Tantrums are common with babies. This is because crying is the only way they know how to get their point across. However, there is another option: sign language. Today, we’ll go through some different benefits for teaching your baby sign - even if they’re hearing. Two decades of scientific research show the proven benefits. Dr. Linda Acredolo and Dr. Susan Goodwyn have conducted over two decades of academic research on the use of signs with hearing babies. Dr. Acredolo has a Ph.D. and is a Professor of Psychology at the University of California. Dr. Goodwyn also has a Ph.D. and is a Professor of Psychology as well at California State University. Their research includes
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This means visual things, such as sign, are extremely important in overall development. Infants are attracted by movement, so when people sign, babies will pick up the signs and eventually match them up to meanings. Especially if you as a parent start using sign. YOU are the person that they look up to/see most. They’re already learning everything else from you - the same goes for signs. They’re going to try to copy what you do. Children don’t begin speaking in two- and three-word sentences until they are eighteen to twenty-one months old, but visual and muscular coordination are in place long before they even make sounds. In other words, babies can use their hands long before they can use speech to clearly communicate. (Page 18, “Sign With Your Baby”). Babies who are consistently signed with have been known to produce signs as early as 4-5 months …show more content…
Child psychologists have learned that toddlers typically understand the following six basic concepts and can use them early in their communication: naming something, adressing someone, finding something, something gone, asking for more, and possessing something. (Page 31, “Sign With Your Baby”) These are fairly simple. Initially, everyday simple activities and needs such as eating, drinking, changing diapers, or wanting more of something are perfect opportunities to introduce signes. Make simple signs at first, such as milk, more, and eat. Keep using these signs for at least a month before adding others; don’t overload your infant at first. While they are eating, every time they take a bite, sign eat. You can also sign the specific sign for the food or drink. If you give them a bottle, sign milk. If you feed them a banana, sign banana, and so forth. Soon, they will connect the sign with the item/food. Next time they want it, they will be able to sign it, and you will know exactly what they want. If they finish eating, and you give them more food, sign more. Generally, babies have developed enough memory to retain a sign’s image for future reference by their sixth or seventh month. (Page 32, “Sign With Your Baby”) However, you can start before that or after
This means visual things, such as sign, are extremely important in overall development. Infants are attracted by movement, so when people sign, babies will pick up the signs and eventually match them up to meanings. Especially if you as a parent start using sign. YOU are the person that they look up to/see most. They’re already learning everything else from you - the same goes for signs. They’re going to try to copy what you do. Children don’t begin speaking in two- and three-word sentences until they are eighteen to twenty-one months old, but visual and muscular coordination are in place long before they even make sounds. In other words, babies can use their hands long before they can use speech to clearly communicate. (Page 18, “Sign With Your Baby”). Babies who are consistently signed with have been known to produce signs as early as 4-5 months …show more content…
Child psychologists have learned that toddlers typically understand the following six basic concepts and can use them early in their communication: naming something, adressing someone, finding something, something gone, asking for more, and possessing something. (Page 31, “Sign With Your Baby”) These are fairly simple. Initially, everyday simple activities and needs such as eating, drinking, changing diapers, or wanting more of something are perfect opportunities to introduce signes. Make simple signs at first, such as milk, more, and eat. Keep using these signs for at least a month before adding others; don’t overload your infant at first. While they are eating, every time they take a bite, sign eat. You can also sign the specific sign for the food or drink. If you give them a bottle, sign milk. If you feed them a banana, sign banana, and so forth. Soon, they will connect the sign with the item/food. Next time they want it, they will be able to sign it, and you will know exactly what they want. If they finish eating, and you give them more food, sign more. Generally, babies have developed enough memory to retain a sign’s image for future reference by their sixth or seventh month. (Page 32, “Sign With Your Baby”) However, you can start before that or after