10 Helpful Tips for Teaching Your Baby Sign Language!
- Speak when you sign. Every single time you sign, say the word. Even if it’s just you and him, and even if you feel goofy, say the word as you sign it!
- Use facial expressions. In American Sign Language, facial expressions are just as important as the hand gestures. You are probably already making facial expressions, but it helps to be aware of it, and sometimes it helps to exaggerate your natural facial expressions, especially when you are teaching the signs for “hurt,” “please,” “sorry” and other emotionally charged words.
- Vary your tone of voice. This will probably also come naturally, but once again, it helps to be aware of your tone of voice. Sometimes it is helpful to vary your tone as you sign. When you say the word “sorry” for instance, make sure you sound it! Though you may be tempted to chuckle at how cute your baby is being at that moment, don’t!
- Be consistent. Even though you may tire of it, and even though you may not want to do it in front of your skeptical mother-in-law, it is important that you sign as much as you can. This means that every single time your baby wants more of something (milk, crackers, toy, singing) you need to sign “more” when you ask him if that’s what he wants!
- Don’t make a sign unless you mean it! It is tempting to make the sign for milk 17 times while telling your sister about your baby signing for milk. This is sure to confuse your baby. She sees you making the sign, but there is no milk in sight! Also, don’t ask your baby to make the sign unless he means it, either! Don’t ask him to “show Daddy the sign for milk” and then not give him any!
- Act like you won the lottery. Positive reinforcement is truly a wonderful thing, and when your baby first signs for milk, you need to act like you just won a million bucks. Jump around, clap your hands, say yippee, and shower her with kisses. And don’t forget to give her the milk. (And you need to get this excited every time, for a while at least!)
- Never show frustration. If you show that you are getting frustrated, which is entirely normal by the way, your baby might be scared to try to sign next time.
- Sign with Daddy. While you are talking with Daddy, or with anyone else in the home, including older children, make signs. Your baby will learn by watching you interact and communicate with others.
- Start with just a few signs. Popular choices are “more,” “milk,” and “eat.” You can certainly start with more than three, but starting small will keep you and your baby from feeling overwhelmed.
- Be redundant. You may feel like a nutcase, but you have to be the broken record!
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