Baby Sign Language: 5 Benefits of Using It

Where did the idea of using sign language with babies come from?

This idea may seem surprising at first! Indeed, popular belief is that the use of sign language is reserved for people with hearing impairment. One of the first uses of sign language with typically developing children occurred in the United States in the 1970s.

This idea is not silly! Children have needs and comments to communicate long before they are able to do so with speech. Using sign language allows them to tap into this period of developing communication intentions by equipping them with a more accessible means of expression. For most, sign language with babies will support the child's expression and understanding temporarily and for a short period.

Why invest time in learning sign language with my baby?

• The use of sign language is often an easier means of expression than speech for young, developing children. For example, a child says 'bye-bye' and 'bravo' long before saying it with their mouth. However, we don't expect the sign to be executed perfectly to understand the child!

• It is a spontaneous means of communication, like speech.

• Some studies highlight advantages in terms of developing an expanded and precise vocabulary, IQ development, and effects on pronunciation and sentence length. This is possible, but the validity of the studies needs further investigation.

Personally, it is not with this in mind that I advocate the use of sign language with babies. It is rather to facilitate communication and interactions during a key period when the child has intentions to convey and the ability to reproduce signs to actualize a message when limited by speech. Some say that this has the effect of giving the child confidence in discovering their power of communication. It is also with this aim that the use of signs with babies has gained momentum over the last 10 years in Europe. In most cases, the use of signs will be a very temporary means of expression... but effective and potentially having positive impacts on their interactions.

Unexpected benefits for parent and child

Adults who use sign language with babies would naturally modify certain communication attitudes with positive impacts on interactions. Indeed, the adult:

• ensures to capture the child's attention and gaze more before speaking to them.

• reduces their speech rate, the length of their sentences, and adapts their vocabulary choice.

• would be more inclined to use natural gestures, facial expressions, and intonation variations to accompany their speech.

• is inclined to repeat sentences.

• would also provide more feedback to the child. The fact that the child expresses themselves with signs allows the parent to better understand the child's level of comprehension, which helps them to better adjust their feedback and expectations.

A small caveat!

It is important to note that using sign language with a baby is not necessary to develop these good communication attitudes, but some observe that the parent would do so more spontaneously when using signs with their child.

Am I wrong, or can using sign language be complicated?

• As a parent, you need to take time to learn the signs yourself. This may seem like a colossal task. Rest assured that in practice, after a few viewings of the videos on the 'Petit Signe' app, you will quickly master the basics for communicating essential daily needs with your child. At this stage, it is not necessary to sign everything, and you will see that many signs are nevertheless instinctive or similar to natural gestures.

• For grandparents, siblings, and daycare providers to optimize their communication with your little one, it is recommended that they also know the signs. Via the 'Petit Signe' app, this knowledge transfer is facilitated as everyone can access it quickly and from anywhere.

• In addition to familiarizing themselves with the repertoire of signs, it is important for the various communication partners to know how the child executes the sign (the sign can often be approximated). The 'Petit Signe' app allows you to make short videos of your child and share them so that people know how your child executes the sign.

Communicating with a baby is not always easy. Through signs, discover an effective tool that will help avoid a few tears.

Source

Elizabeth Kirk, Neil Howlett, Karen J. Pine and Ben (C) Fletcher. To sign or not to sign? The impact of encouraging infants to gesture on infant language and maternal mind-mindedness. Child Development, March/April 013, vol. 84, Number 2, pp. 574-590.

Lauri H. Nelson, Karl R. White and Jennifer Grewe. Evidence for Website Claims about the Benefits of Teaching Sign Language to Infants and Toddlers with Normal Hearing. Infant and Child Development, 2012, vol.21, pp. 474-502.

Magaly Lamperier. Apports et impacts de la communication gestuelle préverbale. Étude de discours de parents et de professionnels sur les ‘’bébés signeurs’’. Linguistique. 2011. Dumas-00606386