5 Reasons to Use Baby Sign Language
By Ellen L. Wells
Baby signing has become a popular
subject when it comes to babies. There are articles, books, web
sites and DVDs devoted entirely to these baby gestures.
Many parents, though, still want
to know, “What is so important about teaching my baby sign
language?” or “Why do I want to take the time and
effort to teach my baby signs when I just want my baby to talk?”
The answer to both questions is becoming more and more clear as
research keeps proving the long-term benefits of baby signing.
So what are the top five
reasons to use baby signs?
1. Enrich the
parent-child relationship. It makes perfect sense that a baby
whose wants and needs are understood by his parents would feel
closer to them. It also makes sense that a much less frustrated
household would make for a better relationship between parents
and babies.
2. Increase your
ability to understand the wants and needs of your baby, and decrease
overall frustration for your baby. Using baby signing enables
a baby to convey what she wants and needs. I can still remember
seeing my 11-month-old signing “milk” when she wanted
to nurse. Later, she was able to sign for other food and drink
items, as well as for toys and play. I found that she seemed generally
happy and was an “easy” baby. Mothers in our play
group noticed and wanted to know more about baby signing.
I referred them to research by
the authors of Baby
Signs that indicates that if a baby can communicate what
she wants and needs – even if the parent must say “no”
in response – the baby will know that she was understood
and experience less frustration. Reduced frustration means that
she will cry less and be much happier (especially as she moves
into the frustrating days of toddlerhood).
3. Open an exciting
window into the mind of your baby. Babies are developing rapidly.
They are like little sponges – soaking in everything. You
can be a part of that experience when you teach your baby how
to use signs. My daughter was so proud of herself when she was
able to point to our fish tank and sign “fish” for
the first time. She tapped my shoulder, pointed at the tank and
signed “fish.” She had the biggest grin on her face
and it was almost as if she had said to me, “Mommy, I see
a fish over there.” Her first sentence!
4. Enhance the
development of language skills. A common myth about baby signing
is that a child who is taught baby signing will choose to use
signing over verbal speech. The opposite is true. Not only will
a baby choose verbal speech over signing, but signing will increase
baby’s verbal abilities. In my practice as a speech pathologist,
I use signing to facilitate verbal speech with babies and toddlers
who have language delays and disorders, and I have seen the great
strides they make when signs are used. It is a bridge to verbal
communication. I call it “The tricycle before the bicycle.”
It is no wonder that a baby or toddler who does not have any language
deficits would benefit even more from signing.
5. Increase your
baby’s IQ. Results taken from a longitudinal study by the
researchers behind the book Baby
Signs, Acredolo and Goodwyn, revealed a 12-point difference
in IQ scores when babies who used signing were compared to babies
who did not sign. Babies who signed had IQ scores that were almost
one standard deviation above those who did not. That is a big
leap, one that could indicate the need for all babies to use signing
and one that will continue to be explored as baby signing grows
in use.
It is clear that baby signing is
not a fad but a useful tool to help in baby’s development.
Happy signing!
For additional information
www.babysigns.com
www.infantsignlanguage.com
American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association (ASHA)
© Ellen Wells
Ellen Wells holds
a master’s degree in education and is certified as a speech-language
pathologist, Lamaze-certified childbirth educator and child passenger
safety technician. She specializes in family education (including
breastfeeding, baby care and car seat installation and use), infant-toddler
swallowing and feeding disorders, baby sign language and speech-language
difficulties. She has worked in neonatal intensive care, rehabilitation
and outpatient care in hospitals and private practice. Ellen is
a founding partner of Communication Specialists and co-produced
the video Learning Baby Sign Language, which is sold
through classes, specialty shops and pediatricians. Ellen and
her husband Chris have two little ones and live in Texas. Visit
Ellen at www.learningbabysigns.com.
