10 Things To Know About Baby Signing

Nothing makes you feel more legit than being contacted by someone and asked to post an article on your blog..ya, I'm kind of a big deal.

After making sure her site got the CaliLand approval (my personal favorite are the downloadable flash cards!) Misty, the Chief Editor, sent me a few article topics and I chose '10 Things to Know About Baby Signing." Our first experience with baby signing was several years back when my cousins daughter was doing the sign for "more" and we asked what the hell she was doing. Since then Anthony has been all about it and started teaching Hayden when she was around 10 months old. She picked up "more" pretty quickly (GENIUS!) and aside from using it to tell us when she wants more food she also uses it to tell us when she is hungry or if she wants something. We love baby signing in my family and hope you gain some great info from this article as well as BabySignLanguage.com.

10 Things To Know About Baby Signing

Baby signing can’t be beaten for encouraging great communication between Mommy and baby. Whether you are just starting out or are a signing expert, here are 10 things you should know about baby signing….

1: Signing helps with bonding

Baby signing is a two-way activity, encouraging communication from parent to baby and back again. In fact, mothers who sign with their babies often feel closer to them, noticing and appreciating baby’s efforts at communication earlier than non-signing moms.

2: Children who sign as babies often speak earlier

It’s true – Baby Signing can act as a ‘stepping stone’ to verbal speech, supporting a young child’s efforts to express himself. Research has shown that babies who have early exposure to signing often have bigger speaking vocabularies when they start school.

3: Signing is easy

You can start signing with your baby by learning just a handful of signs, such as Mommy, Daddy, Milk and Diaper. Find more useful starter signs here. Once you’ve mastered these, it’s easy to build up your repertoire.

4: Dads love baby signing too

Dads sometimes feel left out of bringing up a baby, especially if Mom is breastfeeding. Signing is something baby and daddy can do together, creating a special bond.

5. You can start signing from birth

It’s never too early to start signing. The sooner you start signing to your baby, the sooner he will begin to communicate his needs back to you. You can start at any time, even from birth. Some moms even start learning the signs while baby is still in the womb!

6. Baby signing is fun

So many things these days are just plain hard work! Baby signing is supposed to fun – and that’s one of the reasons it works so well. If you’re not having fun you’re doing it wrong.

7. Flash cards help

Baby Sign Language Flash Cards are a valuable teaching aid to help you develop the signing vocabulary of your baby. Flash cards work because they are a visual stimulus for you and baby, and create extra interest in the idea or object you are signing.

8. Signing reduces toddler tantrums

Baby signing has been proven to reduce frustration and to help children through those toddler-tantrum years. Many tantrums are caused by communication frustration, and when your child can easily express what he wants he is happier and calmer – and so are you!

9. It’s a great talking point

When you and baby are out for coffee, imagine how envious your friends will be when baby tells you she’s tired, or hungry, or too hot – just by making hand gestures? Amazing! While other moms struggle through the baby years, you and your baby will be communicating happily with each other. Be sure to share your knowledge with them.

10. Baby signing can help with post-partum depression

The bonding aspects of baby signing cannot be underestimated. But post-partum depression can begin at any time, even during the second year. Many early-years programs teach Baby Sign Language to moms and babies to help build communication and trust.