How can sign language help improve verbal communication skills?
By using signs / gestures, parents can communicate with babies as young as 6 months. Usually children use their first verbal words by 12 months. Incorporating signs can help you know what your child is feeling (e.g., hot, tired, hungry) and help avoid potential frustration when your child can not verbally communicate to you that he or she wants to play with the Cookie Monster doll that is out of reach. Signs enhance language development, and indicate that a child is understanding and using language. Children who use signs often develop a higher IQ than children who do not use them. Signing can help develop listening and visual attention skills because children observe parents signing the name of an object while hearing the corresponding word. If appropriate, Say and Play teaches parents how to begin using signs with their children to facilitate language development and provide a total communication approach.
By using signs, parents can communicate with their babies as young as 6 months. Children usually say their first verbal words by 12 months. Signing allows you to know what your child is feeling (e.g., hot, tired, hungry) and help avoid frustration when your child can not verbally communicate to you that he/she wants a drink of water. Signs enhance language development, and indicate that a child is understanding and using language. Signing can also help develop listening and visual attention skills because children observe parents signing the name of an object while hearing the corresponding word. Signs should be provided near, but not in front of the mouth because a child needs to watch how you move your mouth to say words.
