Baby Sign Language Facilitates Non Verbal Communication?
Mummy, baby's crying!
Why would you not want to teach a baby sign language? You want a happy baby, happy toddlers, do you not?
Whether you use signs based around American sign language (ASL), British sign language (BSL), the Makaton vocabulary, or your own unique sign system, nothing could be more natural.
Your baby is 'hard-wired' to copy. That is how he will grow and develop. At around 6 weeks old he learned to smile, quickly followed by a whole host of assorted facial expressions, and by 4 months he is able
to pick up large objects and may begin to roll from front to back.
Mr Tumble character 'Something Special' CBeebies
Around 38% of all human communication is non-verbal communication, i.e body language, gesture, and over time your baby will be watching your every move. In fact some estimates put it closer to 70%.
At around 9 months your baby will naturally begin to communicate with gestures, shrugging shoulders for 'all gone' and waving 'goodbye,' Eagle eyed parents will notice the mere hint of movement or intention to move, by very young babies, in
response to the crazy antics his caregiver displays right in front of his face.
It's easy to dismiss and think you're the one who's crazy. Surely he's too little!
The several benefits to teaching your baby sign language include:-
Increased intimate bond between baby and parent as the signs are learned and practiced.
Children are able to express themselves much earlier than is possible with their spoken language.
Reduced levels of frustration for all concerned.
Happier baby or toddler and happier family life
Builds baby's confidence and self-esteem.
No need to wait til baby can talk, find out what he's thinking now.
I can think of no reasons why your baby should not learn baby sign language.
Now for Something Special
Many of the baby signs are pretty obvious. A fantastic introduction to sign language is the CBeebies programme Something Special featuring Justin Fletcher as Mr Tumble.
NOTE: Video 2mins 45 secs. The first few seconds are a bit glitchy but hang on in there.
How much fun is that, no wonder its the favourite programme of millions of kids and adults too. For games, stories, songs, signs and printouts why not visit now - Something Special.
Sign language is a living language and as you can see the whole body is used to convey the communication - facial expression. natural physical posture and attitude too.
You don't have to be as animated as Mr Tumble but it would be impossible to sign 'happy' with a slouched posture and a miserable facial expression. All the ingredients of nonverbal communication are present and provide additional clues to engage your baby to help him understand fully.
Here Sebby, aged 24 months, signs BABY As with his speech you get to know your own child's approximations of baby signs. Sebby fully understands the art of conversation and gesture. He has created many of his own signs, e.g ironing, hoover, digging, banging, cutting.
Sebastian(above) adores Mr. Tumble and giggles his way through the programmes in fits of laughter. His signing really took off when he discovered Mr. Tumble.
Boys speech
tends to develop slightly later than girls, yet Seb was able to initiate 'conversations' and sign three 'words' together e.g. baby upstairs asleep, birds asleep in the trees, more juice please, long before his second birthday.
Speech requires fine co-ordination of the tongue and mouth. Every day Sebastian adds a new sound, refines a sound, or adds a syllable to his spoken language, while continuing to add signs and gesture for clarity, understanding and communication.See update
Need a little help to get started? Get together with friends and give your babies the best possible start. Here are some of the best baby signing books and DVDs to help you.
'Failure to understand nonverbal behavior correctly and failure to give appropriate nonverbal signals in communication can cause serious social problems, in ways similar to the social problems experienced by a child with Asperger's Syndrome. Catherine H. Knott, Ph.D.
SEBBY's progress
Sebby was not talking when he reached 24 months. Thanks to the use of a few 'formal gestures' (i.e. signs,) by 30 months he was fully conversational and a very confident
communicator. Don't you want that for your child?
Got a question to ask me about signing with your baby? Ask your question here.
