Will teaching my baby sign language delay speech?
- Contrary to what some have thought, it has been proven conclusively that babies who sign speak earlier than those who do not. In addition, it is a known fact that babies acquire the ability to understand language long before their muscles enable them to actually speak. Research has proven that the gap between comprehension and speech production can be easily bridged with sign language.
How does sign language help minimize the crying and tantrums associated with "Terrible Twos"?
- One of the biggest causes for tantrums and other negative behavior at this stage is your child's inability to communicate. When you give your baby a way to express himself, there is little cause for frustration. Your baby will soon discover that signing empowers him and that it is more productive than crying or whining.
Will teaching my baby sign language really increase her IQ?
- Yes, an average of 10-12 point (some researchers will even claim 20 points). And these findings have been shown to hold up through at least age 8 (the longest period studied to date).
How does signing stimulate my baby's brain development?
- Recent research on the brain has uncovered some amazing facts. Spoken language is stored in the left side of the brain. Information obtained by the eye is stored in the right side. Since teaching your hearing baby to sign involves spoken language and eye involvement, both hemispheres of the brain are used. This causes more synapses--or connections--within the brain to be formed. Simply put, signing helps build more of the brain and greater brain function.
What other benefits will we see as far as vocabulary and reading?
- By age 2, on average, signers have 50 more spoken words than non-signers. At age 3 they speak and understand at a 4-year level. Another fact? Students in pre-Kindergarten who have learned to sign test significantly higher on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test than non-signers.
- Book reading will no longer be a passive experience (with one of the techniques used to reinforce signs). Once reading becomes interactive, your baby's interest in books will soar!
How will signing further benefit our baby and family?
- Studies have shown that reaching out and being understood by a grown up is very important for your child. When your baby is able to communicate with you, her self esteem grows.
- Your baby will also become an "active" member of the family rather than just a "family-member-in-waiting". Beyond basic wants and needs, signing enables your baby to talk about what they are interested in and initiate conversations!
- Signing elevates your experience with your baby beyond the custodial level early. You will learn what interests your baby and parenting becomes more fun! Studies also show that parents pay more attention to a child when communication is two-way. More quality time occurs when parents and babies sign and your bond strengthens.
My baby has already started talking. Is it too late to start signing?
- It is definitely not too late! If your baby is older, start signing right away. Even if your child is beginning to speak, his ability to communicate his needs and wants is limited. Signing will help him bridge that gap and lessen his frustration. Bonus: The older your child is, the faster he will catch on to signing!
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