Signing With Babies and Toddlers:
- Children have the capacity to understand, learn and communicate before they develop the ability to speak
- Babies can sign around 6-14 months, in some cases earlier-which is generally before they master the ability to speak clearly
- Signing reduces tantrums and frustrations
Signing with Children with Special Needs:
- Signing can have miraculous results with children who have speech and communication challenges
- Signing may encourage verbal communication
Other Benefits:
- Wonderful bonding-this is face-to-face communication. You must look at each other to use signs!
- Having an alternative way of expressing themselves can help a child who may not be comfortable verbalizing something they want to say, such as when they are upset or embarrassed
- The physical component of signing can make learning feel like play. Children naturally use their body language to communicate
- Research suggests that signing with hearing children may improve confidendce and self esteem, support spelling skills, improve reading ability, and possibly improve I.Q. scores
*All information provided by the Signing Time Academy c. Two Little Hands Productions, 2009