Communicating with babies through sign language

If you’ve ever spent time with a young toddler, between the ages of 12 – 18 months, especially, you know how frustrating it can be for them to try to communicate their needs. It can be really challenging for mom and dad when they’re playing the guessing game of trying to figure out what their baby is trying to say.

Sign language is truly a benefit to any family looking for ways to ease the frustration around those toddler times, before their verbal language skills have been established. Those of us with babies of our own know how quickly they pick up on the understanding of words and acknowledge with excitement or distress, when they know what to expect based on the things we say.

When my son is hungry, he starts pointing toward the kitchen or climbing on the back of his high chair. The second I say, “food,” “milk,” or “eat,” his face lights up with excitement, anticipating what’s to come.

I took my youngest son, now 16 months old, to a sign language class when he was around 9 months old. He hadn’t started walking yet, but was fully engaged with the older kids and was eager to learn and sing along with Joann, the wonderful teacher at Sign4Baby, San Diego’s premiere sign language instructor.

He picked up the sign for “more” very quickly. “Milk” and “bird” were his other favorites and he continues to use his hands to communicate with us since he hasn’t quite formed the words just yet.

If you aren’t in San Diego or haven’t had a chance to take a baby sign language class, I highly recommend these digital downloads of sign language videos that you can watch on your own and with your baby to discover signs for feelings, family, shapes, colors, and so many more.

The “Welcome to Signing Time” video is FREE and if you download this (or any other signing video) before May 18th, you’ll be entered into a random drawing for:

• Grand Prize - iPad 3 16GB – and the complete Signing Time Digital Library
  • 1st Prize - iPod Touch 8GB – and the complete Signing Time Digital Library
  • 2nd Prize - $200 gift card – redeemable for classes and products
  • 3rd Prize - $100 gift card – redeemable for classes and products

Head over to the Sign4Baby website for more information on classes in San Diego. It’s a great, fun way to discover what your baby is thinking or feeling, long before he or she is able to let you know with words.