There is much debate on whether or not to use baby sign. As a birth to three therapy provider, some parents apprehensively agree to teach their child to communicate with sign. There is concern that their child will rely heavily on the "sign" itself and not begin to verbalize their wants and needs. As a speech pathologist, I am a strong believer in the Total Communication approach. Let's equip children with ways to communicate so that they decrease their frustration level and increase their ability to communicate their wants and needs with their family. By using sign language, we empower children and families to communicate together. As we teach each sign, we always pair the word with the sign. The goal is to remove the sign all together and have the child use words only. Signing is a way to communicate in the meantime. I encourage families to combine signs and words as they work with their child. I also use the sign language with my own children.
Work to incorporate basic sign throughout your child's day. Beginning signs may include: "More", "Eat", "Drink", "All Done". Always pair the verbal word with the sign. Again, as the child becomes more verbal the signs will be dropped from everyday use. Until that point is reached, signing gives each child a mode to communicate with their family.
Great resources may be found at your local library (books, DVD's). Or check out these great sites:
Baby Signing Time Videos- http://www.signingtime.com/shop/baby-signing-time#
For great books and/or DVD's http://www.amazon.com/
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Beginning Sign Words http://www.asha.org/uploadedFiles/ASHA/Publications/leader/2010/101102/Recommended-Choices-for-a-First-Sign-Lexicon.pdf
Question/Answer regarding Baby Sign Language from MS NBC http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8060750/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/t/can-baby-sign-language-delay-speech/
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