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Sign With Your Baby

Dec 26, 2013
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Sign With Your Baby - Grown Ups Magazine - Sign language is great tool to use to help babies and young toddlers better communicate their needs and wants.
Sign language is great tool to use to help babies and young toddlers better communicate their needs and wants.

Sign With Your Baby - Grown Ups Magazine - Sign language is great tool to use to help babies and young toddlers better communicate their needs and wants.

Sign language is great tool to use to help babies and young toddlers better communicate their needs and wants. Studies show that it alleviates frustration and can actually lead to quicker language development than children who do not use sign language.

I personally can testify to how much easier it was for me when my toddler started using basic sign language to tell me what exactly he wanted!

Check out a sign language book from your local library and start with very basic words that are meaningful, such as mommy, daddy, milk, or more. Go at your child’s speed (don’t push for too much too fast) and you’ll be amazed at the results!

Did you teach your baby to sign words? Which sign helped him or her communicate the most?

Two resources to try (click to learn more):

Sign Language Book

The Baby Signing Bible by Laura Berg

Sign Language App

Baby Sign Language Dictionary – ASL Edition

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Crystal Plante

Crystal Plante

Crystal is a teacher, reading specialist, freelance writer, author, and married mother of four. In her spare time—or whatever spare time a mother of four has—she enjoys reading, cooking, watching television, and volunteering in her community. Crystal is an unabashed chocoholic and a long-suffering (but recently redeemed) fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. You can visit her website at http://www.ceplante.weebly.com.

  • Beth Hewitt

    Hi Crystal,

    First time on your site 🙂 I never did any baby sign language. I just used to talk to my little girl all the time and she was a really early speaker. In fact she never stopped talking I used to go to bed, with her voice going round in my head lol.

    baby signing is a really lovely thing to see. 🙂

    Beth

    • CE Plante

      Hi, Beth!

      Lol! Talking to little ones is so important. Exposing them to words is a great way to build vocabulary that helps later on with reading. Good for you!
      Crystal

    • CE Plante

      Hi, Beth!
      Talking to little ones is so important. Hearing a wide assortment of words builds their vocabulary, which is important once they begin to read. Good for you!

      Crystal

  • Vanessa Terrell

    I didn’t use sign language with my children, but it sounds like a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

  • Shannon

    I personally think that everyone should be taught sign language. I don’t have a baby but if I did I would try this out. Thank you for your article!

  • Katie

    We taught both of our boys a few simple signs when they were little. To this day they both will sign please and thank you on a regular basis. I think it’s a great way to interact when they are still learning to speak. Plus it gives them tools to interact with other kids who may have a hearing impairment.

  • Our oldest knew two signs and then we slacked off. He seemed to get frustrated and want to cry rather than sign, but we probably should have been more consistent with it. Hopefully we will have better luck with our youngest!

  • Krystle Kouture

    I never knew this was possible. Very cool!

  • Sadie

    We love Sign Language. 🙂

  • Taylor Speikers

    I do sign language with my 8 month old! She learned milk very quickly and it’s been awesome! Much less crying 🙂

  • Christine T

    I wanted to do sign language with my daughter when she was a baby, but I admit I got lazy with it. I think I did teach her “hungry”, but it’s been so long, it’s hard to remember!

  • notageek4u

    I actually do sign with my special needs sister, and I’m pretty fluent in ASL 🙂

  • I would love to teach my daughter more sign language. The only thing I know, that I have taught her, is ‘I love you.’

  • candice

    My son was delayed with his speech. I did sign with him to help him communicate. My favorites were eat,drink and sleep. I felt that it took care of many of his basic needs. He learned much more but those were my first three

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