In order for your baby to learn to sign, you’ll want to provide learning experiences of all different kinds. And of course, this is no different from any other type of teaching that goes on in a child’s life. So you’ll use a baby sign and speak the corresponding word at one point, then perhaps reinforce the sign with a flash card or perhaps a picture from a book. You’ll repeat these things each time you need to use the same word. And throughout the process, as with all baby learning experiences, there will be music and song.
A lot of the makeup of the resources that demonstrate sign language for babies is founded on the social and medical knowledge of early childhood development. So it is understandable that the makers of these resources have integrated music, because it has such a sizable part in baby learning generally.
Even the Baby Einstein regime, which began by trying to increase babies’ intellectual capacity with classical music and poetry, has gone into the baby sign language field. It offers a video known as “My First Signs – See & Sign With Baby,” which teaches simple signs along with speech and, not surprisingly, classical music.
Baby Signs, Inc. is more heavily and directly involved in baby sign work, and this company’s products include music, as well as books, toys and instructional videos. They have several different music bundles, including a Music CD called “If You’re Happy and You Know it.” Meanwhile, at the www.signbabies.com website you also find that in their “Signing Time” instructional packages, not only are there DVDs that teach the signs themselves, but each one has an accompanying music CD. You can also sometimes find local play groups that use music to teach signs as the children interact with each other.
As you and your child learn to baby sign, you can make it a complete experience, touching every aspect of the baby’s life. In the same way that babies learn everything else, they will learn signing as you take many paths and use different methods to teach. The baby can learn to sign by repeating your own gestures, but have the signs reinforced in his or her memory through pictures, books and toys. But one of the things that will make the experience the most enjoyable, while adding a soothing element of relaxation, is the addition of music.
Most young children lack the verbal skills needed to communicate effectively. Fortunately, there is a better way than simply trying to teach your child words. They can learn to communicate through sign language. Baby sign language books and classes are really great at improving communication skills. Find out more about how to baby sign at Best Baby Advice: Baby Sign Language.
