What are baby signs®?
Baby Signs® is the only research-based signing program for hearing infants. Drs. Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn began studying the use of signs with babies in the 1980s and 1990s at the University of California with funding from the National Institute of Health. Baby Signs® uses “baby friendly” signs from American Sign Language combined with signs that infants and parents have created themselves and found useful.
There are many benefits to using signs with babies. Babies use signs to communicate effectively with their parents, siblings, and caregivers, which increases the number of positive interactions the baby experiences with the important people in his or her life. Since these interactions are a direct result of attempts to communicate, the baby feels a sense of importance in the world. This is a great way to strengthen the parent-child bond and boost the baby’s self-esteem.
Using Baby Signs® also has been shown to stimulate intellectual development, and make it easier to learn to talk. Signs enhance babies’ verbal exchanges with adults. The baby’s – and parent’s – level of frustration is reduced, further adding to the positive benefits of signing.
Signs can be started as soon as the baby is born, but at least by the time the baby is eight or nine months old. Families can expect to see babies starting to sign between 10 and 14 months old, depending on how often others sign to the baby.
Please visitwww.BabySignsToo.com for more information on this great tool for communicating with your baby. The Center for Infant and Family Resources, LLC, teaches both private Baby Signs classes, and group classes. See our services page for more information. Classes can also be arranged for your group. The center for infant and family resources, llc
703-309-1238
info@infantfamilyresources.com
Oakton, VA 22124