Top Five Reasons

Top Five Reasons to Sign with Babies and Toddlers

Signing with babies and toddlers offers real benefits to not only children, but also to parents, teachers, and caregivers.

1. SIGNING PROVIDES FOR EARLY COMMUNICATION
   Hearing babies, as young as 8 -10 months, have the physical ability to sign words expressing wants and needs.  Signing offers them a language;  a way communicate using their hands that allows young children to talk before they can actually speak.  For hearing toddlers, continuing to sign, even after spoken language has begun, will enhance vocabulary and language skills.  Having more words to use provides signing toddlers with a greater ability to express themselves, explain what they need, and to direct attention to what they are interested in.
2. SIGNING REDUCES PARENT / CHILD COMMUNICATION FRUSTRATIONS
   Signing helps to reduce the frustrations parents feel with the crying and screaming of babies and toddlers.  Simple words of hurt, eat, more and others helps babies express their wants and needs without relying on crying.  Signing with toddlers relieves screaming temper tantrums and the frustrations parents have with them.  Parents who incorporate signing into their toddlers daily life and use words that will help toddlers express themselves,  words like tired and sleepy, or hungry and thirsty, or even vocabulary words like car, dog, or tree, are providing young children with a way to clearly and effectively express themselves without resorting to crying.
3. SIGNING INCREASES USABLE VOCABULARY
   Hearing children who learn to sign have been shown to have up to twice the usable vocabulary, signed and spoken, than their non-signing counterparts. Their ability to use a large number of words allows them to explore their world more effectively. They can get answers or give directions much clearer because of their language skills.  It also provides them with greater knowledge of language and better reading readiness upon entering elementary school.
4. STIMULATES BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
   Baby’s and toddlers brains are developing so rapidly that the more opportunities they have to learn and remember things using multiple learning styles (visual, verbal and physical), helps to strengthen and reinforce early brain development.
5. SIGNG IS A FUN AND PLAYFUL BONDING ACTIVITY
   Parents and teachers alike have discovered that young children, into elementary school, love to learn to sign and are genuinely excited to participate in signing activities. It is a fun playful activity for families to share.