Why VGCDC Uses Sign Language
Many infants and toddlers have tantrums because they lack the ability to clearly verbalize their needs and feelings. With sign language, infants and toddlers can express what they want or need instead of getting upset. You do not need to be fluent in American Sign Language; even knowing a few signs can help can make communication clearer. Encourage children to use words or sign language to express needs or feelings, rather than emotional outbursts. Sometimes frustration is unavoidable but you can teach children how to deal with frustration in a calm manner.
“Benefits of sign language in an infant’s development include providing a foundation on which to learn written English and build speech, reducing frustration and building self-esteem and confidence, opening up receptive and expressive interactive communication prior to speech development, and developing cognitive abilities earlier,” says Tami Hossler, MA Ed., editor of The Endeavor Magazine for the American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC).
“Benefits of sign language in an infant’s development include providing a foundation on which to learn written English and build speech, reducing frustration and building self-esteem and confidence, opening up receptive and expressive interactive communication prior to speech development, and developing cognitive abilities earlier,” says Tami Hossler, MA Ed., editor of The Endeavor Magazine for the American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC).
How to Use Sign Language
Here are a few tips when introducing sign language to children.
- Only use American Sign Language. There are some infant sign language books on the market that offer signs that are inconsistent with the signs of American Sign Language (ASL). While some of these signs might be easier for baby to do, it’s important to stick with ASL, which is universal and taught to children of all languages. The center has a DVD and book on ASL that you are encouraged to borrow.
- Start young. Research indicates that children can begin learning the signs as early as 6 months, but you can start working even younger if you’d like, says Hossler. “Language begins at birth, and you can start to sign with babies right away,” she says. “Babies receptively take in language as soon as they can focus.”
- Start with three words. Work on three words at a time, introducing new signs once the child is starting to use the first set of signs. Add the new signs into the mix with the learned signs so that their signing vocabulary grows. Says Adams, “Babies learn at their own pace, so it’s important to use a lot of repetition and take it slow.”
- Start by signing about what they are doing. Young infants spend a lot of time eating, so it’s a good idea to start with signs about eating so that they can begin to understand what you are referencing. At first, babies put meaning to objects, and not words alone. Signing to them about something they are doing, holding, or seeing is important in creating recognition.
- Speak the words in correlation with the sign. It is important to speak the word that you are signing, this encourages verbal language development as well.
- Be consistent and persistent. Just as you talk to babies in slow, simple sentences, you should take a similar approach to sign language. Speak and sign slowly and in a drawn-out fashion, and make sure you have the baby’s full attention. And, be persistent. Eventually, you will be amazed as babies begin to sign back to you their wants and needs.
- Encourage parents to practice at home. Make copies of the signs that you are practicing with the children, and show parents how to do them. The more reinforcement the children receive the more successful they will be at learning signs.
Asking WordsPleaseWhen your child has mastered this word, try pairing it with other works to ask for "Help, please" or "More, please."
MoreChildren often use this word to ask to read a book one more time, or listen to a song again. We see it most often during snacks and meals.
All DoneHelpThank YouStopAt VGCDC we use this word to maintain safety in the classroom. It is used when a child is endangering themselves or others.
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Eating WordsEatDrinkCupDescriptive WordsCryBookTiredCold |