Why Sign

Debra Messing is doing it.  Little Jack from "Meet the Fockers" is doing it.  Even Steve, Joe and Blue from "Blues Clues" are doing it.  "Doing what?" you may ask.  Signing.  No longer just a language for deaf or hard of hearing people, sign language has slowly but steadily been integrating into mainstream society and the trend has just begun.

Everyday more and more people are recognizing the usefulness of signing with preverbal and early verbal children.  Research is showing that hearing babies can understand words much sooner than previously thought.  There are studies showing that infants and toddlers can communicate with their hands long before their mouth muscles are ready for speech.

Recently there has been an increasing amount of media attention regarding the benefits of using sign language.  While the reasons to use sign language are plentiful, signing is something we do and see everyday without even realizing it.  Does your child reach his arms up if he wants to be picked up?  Do you wave "hi" or "bye" as a greeting?  Do you ever sing "Head, shoulders, knees and toes"?  If yes, then you are actually "signing" using natural gestures and hand movements to communicate.

Will signing delay my child's speech?

This is probably the most common concern we hear.  The truth is, there is no basis to this worry.  Using sign language in conjunction with appropriate verbal speech fosters communication by allowing children to help initiate interaction and tell their parents or caregivers their needs and thoughts.  Once they understand the concept of "communicating" it is as if a light bulb goes off and their desire to interact propels them to use more signs and words.  Studies show that children who are exposed to early sign language actually have stronger language, cognitive and pre-academic skills and are more confident and even-tempered than their non-signing peers.

Signing with babies and early toddlers

You can begin signing with your child from birth although it will take a "few" months before he signs back.  Most parents report the development of first signs between 6-8 months.  It is no coincidence that during this time, babies are beginning to sit up, take notice of their environment and improve their fine motor movement and hand-eye coordination.  It is also often the time that babies start to clap or wave their hands.  For children 12 months and older, it is a great time to start because they have more developed comprehension and motor skills and learn quickly.  Babies develop language with signs in the same way as oral language.  They first watch, learn and understand a "word" before they "say" it.  It is very common for your child not to sign back to you when you first start.  Don't worry, they are learning in the process. 

Signing with preschoolers and older children

Sign language is very useful for older children as well as younger ones.  Children who sign demonstrate improved vocabulary and grammar.  Research shows that by learning a second language (including sign language) children tend to show an increase in overall IQ, eye-hand coordination and general motor function.  The reason for these advances is that you are actually working on strengthening both sides of your brain:  the right side of the brain for visual/motor (signing) and the left side for language (oral language).  In addition, research shows that children who integrate a language and gesture system tend to have higher literacy rates than their non-signing peers.  Therefore, it is never too late to introduce signing into your lives!

Signing with special needs children

The most critical period for learning language occurs between birth and 5 years.  Children with special needs often have difficulty with the process of natural language acquisition.  Research is showing that children who have motor based speech difficulties such as apraxia, developmental delays, hearing impairment, ADD, or issues related to the autistic spectrum benefit from having a bi-modal (two modes of learning: oral and visual) approach to language learning (i.e., signing and verbal speech).  A growing trend is to use sign language in place of a picture exchange system to facilitate communication since you are working on developing "language" not just "speech". 

(See Special Signers section)

The bottom line is that sign language is beneficial for any child of any age and any ability!

Recent Articles Supporting the Benefit of Signing

December 2004 PARENTS Magazine

"The Best Baby Classes" lists Sign Language as one of the

top 6 parent-infant programs to help "boost brainpower".

September 2004 PARENTS Magazine

"Boost your Babys IQ" as one of the top 6 most important things

to do "Let your fingers do the talking".

September 2004 PARENTS Magazine listed "Signing Time"

as one of top 10 best videos for kids.

October/November 2004 FITPREGNANCY Magazine

"Talking with your baby"

June 2004 AMERICANBABY Magazine

"Show me a Sign" described the benefits of signing

"Baby sign language can help your child communicate without saying a word".