Guest Post: What is Baby Sign Language?

When my boys were infants, my mother started teaching them baby sign language. It was great to be able to communicate with them before they were able to talk. Following is a guest post from Misty Weaver, chief editor of BabySignLanguage.com.


What is baby sign language

Baby Sign Language is a cool new way of teaching your baby to communicate using hand gestures. Based on ASL (American Sign Language) it is a simplified version for babies and young children. What do you need to know about baby sign language? That it's fun, free and it really works. Here are some facts about baby sign language...

You can start teaching your baby sign language from birth
The sooner you start signing to your baby, the sooner she will begin communicating back to you. You can start at any time, even from birth. It's easy to start teaching baby sign language. Download some free resources, such as videos and wall charts, and learn the signs yourself first. Then, choose signs that will interest your baby, such as Milk or Mommy, and start signing!

Signing with your baby helps bonding
Baby signing is a two-way activity, encouraging communication from parent to baby and back again. Mothers who sign with their babies often report feeling closer to them. It's not just for moms though- baby sign language is a great activity for dads too.

Children who learn to sign as babies often speak earlier
Learning baby sign language can act as a 'stepping stone' to full speech, supporting a child's early efforts to talk. Research shows that babies who have early exposure to baby sign language often have bigger speaking vocabularies later on.

It's easy to make a start
You can start signing with your baby by learning a handful of signs, such as Mommy, Daddy, Milk and Diaper. Find more useful starter signs here. Once you have mastered a few signs you can expand your signing vocabulary. Remember to stick to signs that are really interesting to your baby.

Teaching baby sign language is fun
Many parenting jobs are hard work. Baby signing should be fun-that's one of the reasons it works so well. At first you may feel silly, but this is normal. After a while Baby Signing will become second-nature and you will hardly notice you are doing it!

Baby sign language can reduce toddler tantrums
Baby sign language has been proven to reduce frustration (for babies and for parents) and to help children through those toddler-tantrum years. Most tantrums are caused by communication-frustration. When your child can express what she wants she is happier and calmer - and so are you!

Teaching baby sign language can help with post-partum depression
Post-partum depression can begin at any time, even during the second year. Baby sign language has been shown to help lots of moms who are suffering post-partum depression - or the baby blues - because of the effect it can have on bonding. Many early-years programs teach baby sign language to moms and babies to help them build communication and trust.

These are all of the reasons you need to start - and more. Download some resources now and get signing.