In graduate school, I wrote a research paper on teaching sign language to hearing babies/toddlers. I was floored at all the benefits the researchers were then finding when teaching these hearing children sign language before they could talk. I decided right then that when I had children of my own, I would teach them sign language as infants.
Fast forward several years and I did just that and I feel my children reaped the many benefits. However, sign language ended up being more important than I would have imagined for my son. You see, despite having a mother as an SLP (who was home with him full time) and having a big sister with excellent language skills as a model, my son was a late talker. While most toddlers go through a language explosion around 18-24 months, he didn’t hit his until he was nearly 2.5. Sign language saved us because it gave him a way to communicate with us for several months before he started using more words.
It is not uncommon for us SLPs to teach children with special needs and speech and langauge delays sign language, but why might you want to teach your infant or toddler sign?
Why teach your infant or toddler sign language?
- Sign language provides the ability to communicate earlier than speech
- Earlier communication can decrease frustration
- Earlier communication can decrease tantrum behavior
- Teaching sign language to your child may increase your child’s vocabulary and language skills
- Teaching sign language to your child may increase your child’s reading and spelling skills and even IQ
- Teaching sign language to your child may increase your child’s visual attention skills and joint attention skills
- Teaching sign language can be a wonderful bonding experience
- Teaching your child sign language will provide him the opportunity to communicate with those who are deaf
- Teaching sign language to your child is F U N!
Want to read more? check out my post 9 Reasons to Teach Sign Language to Your {Hearing} Infant or Toddler
Want even MORE information? Check out these posts in my blog all about signing with little ones!
Thank Goodness We Are Signing!
What Exactly is Sign Language?
Baby Sign: Why I Recommend Using American Sign Language
How YOU Can Learn American Sign Language
Baby Sign Language: What Signs to Start With
How to Teach your Little Ones Sign Language
Baby Sign: When To Start
Guest Post: Why Sign Language Can Work For You and Your Infant & Toddler
Interested in taking class to learn more? If you are in my area, email me at Katie@playingwithwords365.com. Live elsewhere? Check out the Signing Time! Academy site HERE to find an instructor near you!