Why should I learn sign language to communicate with my baby? This question is asked of me all the time. There are many reasons but I feel these two reasons are very important in the development of baby’s language and relationship with family.
- The ability to express their needs and thoughts. -Replace the crying with communication! It reduces unexplainable emotional outbursts and those everyday moments where you don’t know if they are hungry, tired or thirsty. Less fustration among each other when the child is able to communicate his/her needs. It promotes self confidence in feeling satisfaction and and accomplishment. It fosters a loving relationship with child and parent in knowing that needs are being met. Instead of spending all that time trying to figure out what’s wrong, that time you can use and focus on bonding with your baby reading books, playing, and spending time with siblings!
- Boosts brain development. A lot of parents come to me and express concern that teaching their baby to sign will interfere with normal speech development. I tell them, “It’s going to make them smarter, more creative and confident in communicating.” It will not interfere. It will actually enchance it! It promotes creative use of language and increases vocabulary at a young age.
There are many, many, many reasons more why you should communicate with sign language…. Highly beneficial at all levels for babies’ intellectual, psychological and emotional levels. Who wouldn’t try it!?!
