Have you considered teaching your baby to sign their needs?
You can be your baby’s first language teacher and gain the benefits of a more calm and relaxed baby. You may wonder if teaching your baby to sign will reduce language development and learning. Nope! Quite the opposite. By understanding how communication works, signing will:
- Help build trust and confidence in using language because you built the foundation for how it is used to get results.
- Your baby will be more calm and relaxed because you are communicating needs. For example, Baby signs for a nap and you put baby down for a nap or Baby can sign Hunger and you provide food. Gradually, baby learns to trust you and cries less because you respond.
- Signing speeds up better communication. Verbal language will not be held back at all, but it will be enhanced. Making life better for everyone as Baby grows!
There are only three steps to teaching baby to sign:
1. Make eye contact with your baby.
2. Say the word.
3. Do the action.
Be consistent. Once learned, go to the next useful word/sign. That’s all it takes. In just a few weeks, your family will be enjoying Baby’s communications!
It couldn’t be simpler! You can use any baby signing website or YouTube video to learn the words or check a book out of the library. Or search the internet with these words: Signing for Babies Chart and choose one that suits you! Below are some options to get you started.
Tip: Remember to post your baby’s vocabulary for all care givers to reference and use when the primary signer is not home.
This article was crafted for you by your MacaroniKID publisher working with Dr. J who has a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Arizona. The inspiration is to help YOU become the best parent you can be!
Suggested Websites:
https://www.thebump.com/a/how-to-teach-baby-sign-language
https://babysignlanguage.com/chart/#google_vignette
https://www.mamanatural.com/baby-sign-language/
Suggested Books:
The Complete Guide to Baby Sign Language: 200+ Signs for You and Baby to Learn Together
by Lane Rebelo
by Monica Beyer
My First Baby Signs (Over 40 Fundamental Signs for You and Baby)
