Baby sign language is a growing movement that is gaining more and more exposure. Many parents and daycare centers are teaching young children simple gestures to communicate before they are able to talk. Because children cannot communicate what they feel or want, they become frustrated. Unable to fulfill those wants and needs, parents become frustrated as well. Not only can sign language foster communication, but it can also deepen the bond between parent and child.
Development
Babies usually begin to speak between 12 and 15 months, but research shows they can understand and use sign language even before this. Gerald McRoberts, director of developmental research at Haskins Laboratories, says that babies learn languages faster than they can demonstrate through speech. The vocal chords are not developed enough so babies are physically unable to form the words, but they can understand them. McRoberts says that at 16 to 18 months babies can usually speak about 50 words, but they can understand about 200.
History
Joseph Garcia, a Bellingham, Wash., educator, began studying American Sign Language in the 1970s. When working on his master's thesis, he noticed how the hearing children of deaf parents could sign fluently at the age of 1. He observed the gentle way in which families taught sign language and incorporated it into their daily lives. In 1994, Garcia published a book called, "Toddler Talk." The author received much criticism when the book was first published, but his theories were tested. In 2007, a study published in the "Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis" by researchers from the University of Kansas found that signing replaced crying among babies ages 6 to 10 months.
Advantages
Kristy Davies, a New Jersey speech-language pathologist and ASL instructor, followed 20 babies aged 6 to 8 months and found that signing children were less frustrated. Mothers were pleased that their children were able to tell them what they wanted. Also, to sign a child must master complex actions using muscles in their face and hands. Judith Karman, baby sign language instructor at Bates Technical College, says that ASL engages brain mechanisms of bilingual children and gives them both auditory and visual stimulation. According to Garcia, signing helps children develop self-esteem. "When they get a response and get feedback--that is the propeller that flies that child's spirit forward. They become more curious, more engaged," he says.
Speculations
There is speculation as to whether teaching sign language to babies can delay their speech. Parents fear that once children learn how to sign they will rely on that and be less likely to express themselves verbally. While gestures by infants are a good indicator of later language development, there is no empirical evidence that teaching your child to sign will delay her speech. In other words, children who point or use many gestures on their own are probably naturally "late-talkers" trying to express themselves. Teaching your child to use gestures, however, has no evidence to suggest that you will be delaying your child from beginning to speak. In fact, research suggests that teaching infants gestures actually fosters better language development. Psychology professor Linda Acredolo runs the Baby Signs Institute and has done extensive research and wrote the bestselling book, "Baby Signs: How To Talk With Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk." Her research has found that signing actually motivates babies to talk. "It's analogous to the relationship between crawling and walking--one facilitates the other." She says that when babies have sign language as a tool, "they look for better and better ways to communicate, and (spoken) words are the natural step."
Suggestions
Sign language for infants is simple to learn. Most parents teach their children a handful of signs to begin with. Words like, "milk," "more," "finished," "change," and "potty" are common. It is recommended to say the words while you sign. It's helpful to use signs even when you are not trying to communicate directly with your baby. Work them into your daily routines so your child can observe them even when its not directed toward her.
References
- The Morning Call: Baby Sign Language a Growing Movement
- EduGuide: Language Development Stages: Using Sign Language with Baby
- Child Psychology Research Blog: Will Teaching My Baby to Sign Delay His Speech
- The State Journal Register: Some Babies are Learning to Talk with Their Hands
- The Times Leader: Teaching Babies Sign Language Benefits
