Baby Sign Language Do’s and Don’ts
Parents should not “push” signing on their children, experts say. Infants do not learn through formal instruction, but through repetition and routine everyday experiences. Our Wee Sign List of “Baby Sign Language Do’s” will help you get on the right track to early communication with your baby.
- Be Consistent! Babies who are exposed to gestures on a consistent basis are more likely to comprehend that the repetition of the movement represents the language that accompanies it.
- Acknowledge your baby’s preferences - your baby is more likely to be interested in signing with you if you focus on words that are of interest to her.
- Accompany signs with words - Since signing is a bridge to speech, you will want to maintain a strong connection between the words and signs.
- Capture your baby’s attention - Just as in our Wee Sign Together (include link)courses, you should utilize toys, books and music to capture a baby’s attention and present signs that accompany the play.
- Wait for a response - When you think that your baby comprehends sign and is capable of responding in sign, allow him the opportunity to respond after a question is asked.
- Be a role model - Always demonstrate the correct sign. Even though your baby’s motor skills may not be developed for him to mimic the sign, he will be confused by the change in sign if you attempt to demonstrate his version of the gesture.
Babies are more motivated to learn by discovery, so turning sign language into a lesson will not provoke your child to utilize sign language if their experience with the introduction is forced or artificial. Check out our list of Wee Sign Don’ts when teaching your child baby sign language.
- Don’t ignore your child’s interests - Never ask a child to do sign language involving unfamiliar things.
- Don’t command - Typically, children will not respond to requests for showing off her/his signing abilities to others.
- Don’t pressure - Don't compare your child to other children.
- Don't show disappointment - your child may not always choose to sign in a particular situation or a particular word.
- Don’t ignore - Reward your child's attempts to communicate so that he/she receives love and acceptance when he/she makes those first attempts to connect with you.
- Don’t over anticipate - Parents who over respond to their child's needs often miss giving their infant need-driven opportunities to communicate. Allow a few seconds or moments for your child to search for and discover her/his internal resources.
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