What Your Baby Learns from Baby Sign + How to Start
So you’re totally nailing how to use power poses at work, but have you thought about how you can use signals to communicate with your baby? For the most part, you’ve probably thought about what you’re saying in front of your child, and that’s important too! But, sign language has been proven to give your baby ways to tell you what they want or need, well before they’re ready to speak. Let’s take a look at why this is and how to get started.
Baby Sign Reduces Frustration
If you’ve ever traveled to a foreign country where you didn’t speak the language, then you know how frustrating it can be to get something as simple as a glass of water. Babies feel the same way. That’s one of the biggest reasons why they cry! By showing your baby how to tell you what she wants, you can reduce the amount of frustration she feels when trying to communicate her needs.
Baby Focuses on Communication
From the first chubby-fisted sign for “more” you can react both verbally and with sign language to your baby’s thoughts and needs. For example, when your little one signs “more” to you during mealtime, you can respond by speaking out loud and saying “Do you want more to applesauce to eat? Applesauce is yummy!” You can also use the sign for “eat” while you say the word to emphasize what you are saying to your tot. She won’t pick up every detail the first time around, but in an impressively short amount of time, your baby will be eager to watch, listen and communicate back to you.
How to Get Started Signing
Baby sign is everywhere now. From daycares to private instruction, it’s super easy to find the resources to get started. To help you on your search, here are a few interactive and free online programs you can check out:
1. BabySignLanguage.com offers free printable flashcards, an online dictionary of signs, easy-to-follow videos and learning packages for purchase.
2. SignSavvy.com is an amazing (and free!) online dictionary of signs that are demonstrated via video. Although this site is not targeted toward the baby-sign set, a simple search can show you how to sign words or phrases like “bedtime” and “watch me.”
3. Baby Sign (ASL) Free is a free iOS app that demonstrates baby signs via video. This is a perfect option for busy parents and for downtime outside of the house (like in doc office waiting rooms).
Have you used sign language with your baby? Tweet us what you think about it @BritandCo!
(Photos via Getty)