Signing

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

It never crossed my mind to take up signing with my baby till I received Nancy Cadjan’s Baby Signing for Christmas. If I had any doubts about signing, they’ve been cleared.

 

Mostly I think these were associated with “what others may think” if I signed in public. Would people think my baby or I am mute? Or would my baby end up signing instead of speaking.

 

Cadjan cannot be clearer of the countless benefits of signing. Baby sign language, she says, is a way for hearing parents to communicate with their hearing baby before he can speak. It uses your baby’s natural abilities and tendencies to increase the clarity of daily interactions. Babies who naturally try to communicate their wants and needs can use signing instead of crying. Cadjan reiterates many times that signing empowers babies.

 

It certainly takes the guesswork out of being a parent. Moreover, think of how much stronger a bond you could build with your child, with all the frustrations of not knowing or a screaming child out of the equation.

 

The benefits are many. Babies who sign:

 

-         Speak at the normal time or sooner than others who don’t sign.

-         Have larger vocabularies when they do begin to speak.

-         Have more interest in reading and better skills in spelling and reading.

-         Have better self-confidence as they can get their needs met.

-         Develops both sides of the brains at a higher rate

 

It’s a great time for me to start signing with Ayanna. She’s a keen communicator at 4 months. I’m learning to sign some of the essential words – MILK, MORE, CHANGE, FINISHED, LIGHT, FAN, BOOK, BATH, SLEEP, CLOTHES/ GET DRESSED/ YES.

 

As I learn the required signs, I’ve been slowly incorporating it into my conversations with Ayanna. Though she may not be able to sign until seven months, she is at an age that she can respond to these signs.

 

Does any one of you sign to your babies?