Replace Tantrums with High Self-Esteem and Self-Expression

We all want our baby’s beginnings to be built on a solid foundation of love and learning. The hours we spend early on teaching and helping our children grow are priceless. If we can do anything to help our babies develop more quickly, efficiently and completely, we do, without hesitation. However, often times we are challenged trying to figure out what our little one needs or wants because they are unable to verbalize what they are thinking. When we cannot recognize what they are trying to tell us, a delightful, happy situation can turn into a melt down fast.

Research has proven that signing is a powerful tool that allows babies to communicate their needs long before they can begin to speak. Instead of using grunts, pointing, biting, or whining by using sign language your baby will be able to communicate what is happening to them through hand gestures. As a result, they will feel more confident in self-expression and have a higher self-esteem. Just imagine the terrible twos as not being so terrible.

Increases Intelligence and I.Q.

When babies are born they absorb every sight, sound and image they come in contact with. All of this
information is stored in the brain in places known as neurons and synapses. Neurological research shows that the neurons and synapses work on a “use it or lose it” basis. If you do not make connections early on and use them frequently they disappear! Therefore, it is imperative that these synapses are put to work at an early age if you want to have a rich network of connections. By using ASL with your infant, you are creating synapses that would not exist otherwise. These connections last a lifetime and make it easier for your child to continue to learn, comprehend new languages and get a jump-start on reading and writing.

Since sign supports language development and visual development at the same time both the right and the left hemispheres of the brain are stimulated while speaking ASL. Early utilization of the right brain lays a strong foundation for your little one to understand concepts of space, form and proportion; all needed to be successful in art, music and math. Where as, speaking sign language the left side is also engaged which deepens ones ability to learn new languages, think analytically and score higher in reading and writing on aptitude tests. No other language offers this depth of dynamic dual brain development.

Improves Communication and Imagination

Using sign improves the quality of conversation between you and your baby. Babies who sign have larger vocabularies and speak earlier than non-signing babies. This advanced development empowers them to have a more expressive nature and therefore they are more willing to begin conversations. This outgoing expressive nature will also help to ignite imaginative play that commonly begins during the pre-school age years.

ASL utilizes the imagination when explaining a situation or experience. Lets take for example a typical person explaining the intensity of a windstorm. A non-ASL speaker we would say something like, “The wind storm was really wild”. If they were particularly expressive their face might show some excitement and their voice may increase in volume and tone. But, that really depends on the individual and how naturally expressive they are. Where as, in American Sign Language, expression is the norm. For example, to begin sharing this same experience in ASL the speakers’ eyes would get big and bright and their cheeks would fill up with air. Then to make the sign for, “wild wind” they would have to do something like move their upper body and arms vigorously from side to side in waves. There is no one standard way of saying this in ASL. It requires that the person use their imagination for creative expression to take place and hence get their point across.

Creates a Bonding Experience

In this media driven world of communication in which we live, we Twitter, text, and Face book all day long without actually seeing each other. It is rare that we get to sit down and have a real moment of intentional dialog. This is not an issue for deaf people and it never will be. You can't see a sign from another room nor can you hear one when your back is facing your signing friend. What a difference this is to the way most of us communicate today. I have noticed that deaf people are the most amazing communicators. They really listen to one another and therefore build strong relationships through their language. Baby sign supports these kinds of moments of real conversation. You cannot avoid it. It's a given.

One example of this intentionality in ASL is how you begin to introduce new signs to your baby. A key factor in modeling to them is making sure that you make good eye contact and that the new sign is in the babies line of sight. By doing this not only are you having meaningful time with your baby, you are teaching them how to be good listeners and be present when they are talking with someone.