Showing posts with label babysign. Show all posts
Showing posts with label babysign. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
I'd Love to Meet You!
I’m currently in the midst of preparing for a 2-day, in-person training in Denver on June 24-25. I love these trainings! It’s my chance to share my passion for the Baby Signs® Program “up close and personal” with others who are eager to pass along the good news to families in their own communities. The attendees come from two different groups. One group includes individuals interested in starting their own home businesses by becoming Baby Signs® Independent Certified Instructors. These folks will not only have fun giving classes, but will also have the satisfaction of earning extra income. The other group are representatives from child development related organizations and agencies who want the ability to teach Baby Signs® classes to the clients they serve. We call folks in this latter group “Agency Certified Instructors.”
These trainings always leave me with good memories—and new friends—which is why I look forward to them so much. Here’s an example: One of our attendees—who I will call Joyce—was eager to become an instructor because of her experience with her grandson, Jacob. Unfortunately, Joyce lived some 1500 miles away from Jacob and had only been able to visit right after he was born. Her daughter tried to bridge the gap with a photo of Joyce on his bureau and a routine where he would kiss the photo every night while his mom said “Goodnight Grandma. We LOVE you!”
When Jacob was about 11 months old, Joyce's daughter announced she was going to begin teaching Jacob to communicate with signs. Joyce had never heard of such a thing and was more than a little dubious. (She even admitted at the training that she had been secretly worried that using signs would slow down Jacob learning to talk, an admission which led nicely during the training into my description of our research at UCD proving the opposite is true!).
All her qualms faded away, however, one night when Joyce and her daughter inaugurated their brand new Skype connection. Joyce, of course, was eager to say “Hello” to Jacob. Jacob, always glad to get in front of the computer, cooperated by climbing into his mother’s lap and turning his eyes to the screen to see what fun game was going on. But then, in something of a double-take, his eyes grew wide as he caught sight of Joyce. He then spontaneously leaned forward, kissed the screen, smiled broadly and—much to Joyce and her daughter’s delighted amazement—signed “LOVE” by crossing his hands over his heart!
Jacob and Joyce continued after that night to communicate via Skype, with Jacob using his signs to tell her about his day. But no matter what other amazing things Jacob did with his signing, nothing could top that first memorable moment. And that’s why she was at our training. Why shouldn’t every grandma experience the magic of learning that, although she may be far away, she’s far from forgotten!
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about our upcoming training, just click “Professional Trainings” on our home page. Hope to see you there!
Happy Signing! (and don’t forget to look for us on Facebook)
Linda
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, the Baby Signs® Program
and
Professor Emeritus, UC Davis
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Baby Signs Sign of the Week: HAPPY!
HAPPY! (ASL)
This is the first in our series of videos for feelings signs. Learning to identify and express feelings helps babies get a healthy head start in their social and emotional development.
Watch previous Sign of the Week videos
Request a sign
Thank you to all of our Baby Signs Instructors and signing parents who contributed such beautiful photos for our video this week. If you have a photo of your baby that demonstrates "sad," "afraid," or "angry," please send it to lindae@babysigns.com.
This is the first in our series of videos for feelings signs. Learning to identify and express feelings helps babies get a healthy head start in their social and emotional development.
Watch previous Sign of the Week videos
Request a sign
Thank you to all of our Baby Signs Instructors and signing parents who contributed such beautiful photos for our video this week. If you have a photo of your baby that demonstrates "sad," "afraid," or "angry," please send it to lindae@babysigns.com.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sign of the Week: Mommy
Help your baby learn this sign
The Baby Signs Favorites board book features the sign for Mommy as well as the signs for Daddy, Love, Ball, Baby, Hat, Phone, Hot, Flower and Outside. The beautiful photographs and the point-and-sign review page at the end will help your baby learn signs and develop a strong love of books and reading.Click here to purchase this book.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
7 Great Signs for the Holidays: #5-7 (Gift, Please, Thank you)
7 Great Signs for the Holidays: #5-7
Click here to watch a short video that will teach you the signs for GIFT, PLEASE AND THANK YOU.Need a last-minute gift?
The 25 Days of Christmas Final Deal is still happening: Get 25% off your entire purchase at BabySigns.com.
Promo Code: 25off
Good through 11 p.m. PST 12/25/2009.
Instructions for using codes
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
25 Days of Christmas: Day 16, Get 25% off Signing Flash Cards
Wednesday December 16
Today's Deal: Get 25% off the Baby Signs Concept Flash Cards
Today's Code: CC25
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
25 Days of Christmas: Day 15
Today's Deal: Get 25% off the Baby Signs Circle Time Books
Today's Code: CTB25
Today's Freebie:
Article by Dr. Linda Acredolo:
Impact of Signing on Literacy
Impact of Signing on Literacy
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Great Baby Signs article in November Parents Magazine!
There's a great article on pages 164 and 166 of the November issue of Parents Magazine about signing with babies! Dr. Acredolo is quoted throughout the article.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Baby signs "more" to ask her daddy for more . . . of his time!
A Baby Signs Instructor shared this heartwarming story from a mom in her Sign, Say & Play class:
"A. usually sees her Daddy at breakfast, he stops in at lunch, and she sees him again at dinner, but this last week he's had a big project that hasn't allowed him to come in for meals. He came inside for tools, and stopped to quickly kiss A, on his way back out the door- and she began to sign "more" while saying the word "Da-Da." Daddy responded by taking a break for an hour, to spend time with his little girl.
How wonderful that she could let her parents know that she missed her Daddy and wanted him to spend more time with her!"
Friday, August 21, 2009
The Baby Signs Program and Autism: Exploring the Benefits
Hello!
I have a request. Over the years, Dr. Susan Goodwyn, co-founder with me of the Baby Signs Program, and I have received emails from Baby Signs Instructors, from parents, and even from our academic colleagues, all commenting on the potential benefits, not just of signing, but specifically of the Baby Signs Program, for autistic children and urging us to take a closer look. Given the severe problems so many autistic children have with verbal language, we believed they were right, but there always seemed to be other initiatives taking priority—until now. For some reason the frequency of such comments has increased recently, and one email in particular from a Baby Signs Instructor this week has caused us to really sit up and take notice. Here’s what she told us:
“I got a call from someone who teaches autistic children. She thanked me for teaching the Baby Signs® Program and shared that she uses signs with the older kids she works with and it really helps them. She went on to say that our teaching signs to parents of babies is a wonderful thing for autistic children because parents often do not get a diagnosis until they are older, so they are getting some intervention before they even know there is a problem. I have heard the same thing from other parents. A relative of my sister was told by her intervention team that having her baby in a preschool that used signs really helped him escape some of the detrimental affects of his autism. With 1 out of every 150 children being diagnosed with autism, it is more important than ever that we reach families and children early, and your program is doing this.”
What startled us into action was the insight that by teaching young babies to sign, we are providing parents of autistic children “…some intervention before they even know there is a problem.”
With this email as our inspiration, Susan and I have began to explore the research literature more closely. What we have already learned strengthens our hypothesis that our program, including our DVD-based potty training program, holds the promise of being especially beneficial to families with autistic children, both before and after they are diagnosed. What we are hoping now is that, by posting this message, we can reach individuals who might have relevant observations to share—both parents and professionals—about the impact of signing in general and/or of our program in particular on autistic children.
So, if you do have any insights to share, we’d really appreciate hearing from you!
• What have you observed?
• What has worked—and why?
• What hasn’t worked—and why?
• Would you be able to help us to conduct an informal study of the effectiveness of our program?
These children—and their parents—deserve any help we can provide. Feel free to comment here or contact me personally by email at dracredolo@babysigns.com.
Happy Signing!
Linda
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, The Baby Signs® Program
I have a request. Over the years, Dr. Susan Goodwyn, co-founder with me of the Baby Signs Program, and I have received emails from Baby Signs Instructors, from parents, and even from our academic colleagues, all commenting on the potential benefits, not just of signing, but specifically of the Baby Signs Program, for autistic children and urging us to take a closer look. Given the severe problems so many autistic children have with verbal language, we believed they were right, but there always seemed to be other initiatives taking priority—until now. For some reason the frequency of such comments has increased recently, and one email in particular from a Baby Signs Instructor this week has caused us to really sit up and take notice. Here’s what she told us:
“I got a call from someone who teaches autistic children. She thanked me for teaching the Baby Signs® Program and shared that she uses signs with the older kids she works with and it really helps them. She went on to say that our teaching signs to parents of babies is a wonderful thing for autistic children because parents often do not get a diagnosis until they are older, so they are getting some intervention before they even know there is a problem. I have heard the same thing from other parents. A relative of my sister was told by her intervention team that having her baby in a preschool that used signs really helped him escape some of the detrimental affects of his autism. With 1 out of every 150 children being diagnosed with autism, it is more important than ever that we reach families and children early, and your program is doing this.”
What startled us into action was the insight that by teaching young babies to sign, we are providing parents of autistic children “…some intervention before they even know there is a problem.”
With this email as our inspiration, Susan and I have began to explore the research literature more closely. What we have already learned strengthens our hypothesis that our program, including our DVD-based potty training program, holds the promise of being especially beneficial to families with autistic children, both before and after they are diagnosed. What we are hoping now is that, by posting this message, we can reach individuals who might have relevant observations to share—both parents and professionals—about the impact of signing in general and/or of our program in particular on autistic children.
So, if you do have any insights to share, we’d really appreciate hearing from you!
• What have you observed?
• What has worked—and why?
• What hasn’t worked—and why?
• Would you be able to help us to conduct an informal study of the effectiveness of our program?
These children—and their parents—deserve any help we can provide. Feel free to comment here or contact me personally by email at dracredolo@babysigns.com.
Happy Signing!
Linda
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, The Baby Signs® Program
Monday, August 17, 2009
Welcome to our Baby Signs Blog!
Everyone at the Baby Signs home office was thrilled to see all the comments in response to our contest! We especially loved reading about favorite products. My own personal favorite is BeeBo, our teaching puppet. I remember the very first set of 10 BeeBos we created in Susan Goodwyn's (co-founder with me of the Baby Signs Program) living room. We had purchased 10 big Teddy Bears, 10 sweatshirts, and 10 sets of gloves at Walmart. We then had to cut all the bears' arms off and cut wholes in the backs of the sweatshirts so that the human's arms could become BeeBo's. It was quite an assembly line! Even those first make-shift BeeBos were a big hit--and the rest, as they say, is history.
Happy Signing!
Linda
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, the Baby Signs Program
Happy Signing!
Linda
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, the Baby Signs Program
BeeBo then . . . and today!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Reflections on Being a Grandma
I wrote a few days ago about my new twin grandbabies and how I’m taking care of little Nathan during the nights as Mom and Dad (Jim and Julie) struggle with Olivia’s feeding issues and colic. In the process, I’ve noticed something astounding about myself. Normally I am a multitasker extraordinaire and feel very impatient about “wasting time.” I can’t even watch TV without doing something else—even if it’s a jigsaw puzzle! In sharp contrast, I can hold little Nathan for hours--feeding him, burping him, looking into his eyes, and just cuddling--and the time whizzes by! It’s such a lovely, lovely feeling! I’m sure I felt the same way 23 years ago with my own children—but maybe not. Maybe the relief of being a grandparent rather than the “one in charge” lowers the anxiety level--and the work load--just enough to allow pure sensations of love to reign supreme. I wonder. . .
Happy Signing!
Grandma Linda
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, The Baby Signs Program
Happy Signing!
Grandma Linda
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, The Baby Signs Program
Monday, August 3, 2009
Two Future Baby Signs Babies!
I’m a bit tired these days—but a happy tired. My step-son, Jim, and daughter-in-law, Julie, finally have both their twin babies home from the NICU (known as the “nick-you” by parents of premies). They were born at 31 weeks and just over 3 pounds each and had to stay in the hospital for several months. Because the little girl, Olivia, is still having some feeding issues, I’ve been taking care of the little boy, Nathan, at night since they both came home about 10 days ago. Fortunately, he’s a great eater even if he doesn’t have the sleeping part down yet. I'm delighted to say, however, that he's even adorable at 2AM (and 4, and 6 AM)! My husband, Grandpa Larry is pitching in, too. He loves to cook, so he’s been bringing dinner for all of us every night.
You can bet I’ll be modeling signs—starting with SLEEP and PLEASE!
Anybody out there have experience with newborn twins? How have you coped? Have they used baby sign language with each other? I can't wait to see for myself!
Happy Signing!
Grandma Linda
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-Founder
The Baby Signs Program
You can bet I’ll be modeling signs—starting with SLEEP and PLEASE!
Anybody out there have experience with newborn twins? How have you coped? Have they used baby sign language with each other? I can't wait to see for myself!
Happy Signing!
Grandma Linda
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-Founder
The Baby Signs Program
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
One Family's Baby Signs Experience
When I visit a blog myself, I often read the main entry but only rarely follow through and also read the comments. Because anyone doing that here would miss the wonderful comment contributed by Shawna about her daughter's enchanting experience with baby sign language, I've decided to just go ahead and reiterate Shawna's comment myself. I think you'll see why the word "enchanting" fits so well!
Shawna said...
"I was thinking more about how signing went beyond meal times and really impacted our lives. There are three specific things that came to mind.
One is related to the "decrease in tears and tantrums", HELP. When Madison learned to sign HELP she would work on something, a puzzle or climbing a step, and I would wait for her to sign HELP before stepping in. I learned quickly to do this because it allowed her to ask when she was ready for help and avoided a potential "fit" because she wanted to do it. While she doesn't sign it, I know she asks for help when she needs it because the concept was taught to her so early.
Second are the comments I have received about how polite Madison is. Folks are so surprised when she signs/says THANK YOU, PLEASE, YOU'RE WELCOME. We started these signs when she was only 6 months old at the end of each Sign Say and Play class. Once they took hold, they were there to stay. It warms my heart now when she says "Tissue Please" or we are playing and I hand her something and she says "Thanks". Waitresses are always commenting when they ask her something, not even thinking she is old enough to speak and she says "Yes Please" unprompted. She is articulate and polite because of signing.
Third is my favorite. I think the feelings signs we learned in the first class of More Sign Say and Play have taught her to have compassion for others. The feelings and the colors taught in that first class are my all time favorite, while the most difficult for us to master, once we did, we had a great time exploring our world with them. At a mere 11 months old while flying on an airplane she heard a baby crying and immediately looked worried, signed CRYING BABY and wanted to stand up and look around for him. Now at 21 months she extended this compassion to a pinata at a birthday party. She was not pleases that the kids were beating up this perfectly pink tiara and while she had no idea there was candy involved, she cried when they finally busted it open, not from fear but from being upset. She kept saying "Broke it" over and over. She picked it up and tried to put it back together. She showed more compassion for this object than some people do for other people. I am so PROUD (She loves this sign too especially during potty time)
I am so very proud of her, proud that we were able to experience this signing adventure with our Baby Signs Instructor Beth Roland. Madison still signs everyday even though she can say everything she can sign now. At 12 months she had over 150 signs and wasn't speaking much. Boy when the words came they flooded in and now she is a chatterbox. Sometimes we play a game where I do the sign and she says the word. It is fun. Sometimes she will just out of the blue do a sign she never did as a baby, like DADDY. She started saying it before she was able to sign it so we stopped that one. Then one day I went in her room and she signed DADDY. I LOVE YOU took a long time too, difficult I think, but we never stopped that one and she finally got the pinky involved!
I sure wish I had more videos. I do know that seeing is believing because 3 families have already done the SSP classes because of seeing Madison (one in a restaurant, a lady came up to me and said "Are you talking to her? Is she talking to you? I explained what we were doing and how and she signed up that very week!) and three more are planning to when the babies get older.
My Dad thought we were crazy when we started but when he was able to actually talk to her about things she was interested in, butterflies, birds, trucks, worms, colors, he was hooked!
I am a believer for sure and appreciate this opportunity to share my story with you. Thank you so very much for all your dedication and research and passion for our babies. Your work has truly impacted the relationship I have with my only child.
Sincerely, Shawna and Madison"
Now, wasn't that lovely?
Happy Signing!
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-Founder
The Baby Sigsn Program
Shawna said...
"I was thinking more about how signing went beyond meal times and really impacted our lives. There are three specific things that came to mind.
One is related to the "decrease in tears and tantrums", HELP. When Madison learned to sign HELP she would work on something, a puzzle or climbing a step, and I would wait for her to sign HELP before stepping in. I learned quickly to do this because it allowed her to ask when she was ready for help and avoided a potential "fit" because she wanted to do it. While she doesn't sign it, I know she asks for help when she needs it because the concept was taught to her so early.
Second are the comments I have received about how polite Madison is. Folks are so surprised when she signs/says THANK YOU, PLEASE, YOU'RE WELCOME. We started these signs when she was only 6 months old at the end of each Sign Say and Play class. Once they took hold, they were there to stay. It warms my heart now when she says "Tissue Please" or we are playing and I hand her something and she says "Thanks". Waitresses are always commenting when they ask her something, not even thinking she is old enough to speak and she says "Yes Please" unprompted. She is articulate and polite because of signing.
Third is my favorite. I think the feelings signs we learned in the first class of More Sign Say and Play have taught her to have compassion for others. The feelings and the colors taught in that first class are my all time favorite, while the most difficult for us to master, once we did, we had a great time exploring our world with them. At a mere 11 months old while flying on an airplane she heard a baby crying and immediately looked worried, signed CRYING BABY and wanted to stand up and look around for him. Now at 21 months she extended this compassion to a pinata at a birthday party. She was not pleases that the kids were beating up this perfectly pink tiara and while she had no idea there was candy involved, she cried when they finally busted it open, not from fear but from being upset. She kept saying "Broke it" over and over. She picked it up and tried to put it back together. She showed more compassion for this object than some people do for other people. I am so PROUD (She loves this sign too especially during potty time)
I am so very proud of her, proud that we were able to experience this signing adventure with our Baby Signs Instructor Beth Roland. Madison still signs everyday even though she can say everything she can sign now. At 12 months she had over 150 signs and wasn't speaking much. Boy when the words came they flooded in and now she is a chatterbox. Sometimes we play a game where I do the sign and she says the word. It is fun. Sometimes she will just out of the blue do a sign she never did as a baby, like DADDY. She started saying it before she was able to sign it so we stopped that one. Then one day I went in her room and she signed DADDY. I LOVE YOU took a long time too, difficult I think, but we never stopped that one and she finally got the pinky involved!
I sure wish I had more videos. I do know that seeing is believing because 3 families have already done the SSP classes because of seeing Madison (one in a restaurant, a lady came up to me and said "Are you talking to her? Is she talking to you? I explained what we were doing and how and she signed up that very week!) and three more are planning to when the babies get older.
My Dad thought we were crazy when we started but when he was able to actually talk to her about things she was interested in, butterflies, birds, trucks, worms, colors, he was hooked!
I am a believer for sure and appreciate this opportunity to share my story with you. Thank you so very much for all your dedication and research and passion for our babies. Your work has truly impacted the relationship I have with my only child.
Sincerely, Shawna and Madison"
Now, wasn't that lovely?
Happy Signing!
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-Founder
The Baby Sigsn Program
Friday, July 24, 2009
Baby Sign Language in Action!
A few days ago (Monday 7/20/09 is be exact) I wrote about the wide variety of signs that babies use—that they love to communicate about lots more things beyond wanting more milk or being hungry. Several parents responded with lovely examples from their own experiences with the Baby Signs Program, including Baby Madison using signs to indicate that she understood that it was too COLD to go OUTSIDE and, therefore, not pitching a fit when Mom said she had to wait until later. I really love stories like this one because they demonstrates how baby signing enables two minds—the baby’s and the parent’s—to meet, if you will, on an even playing field and achieve an understanding. No wonder the most frequent advantage parents mention is a decrease in tears and tantrums.
Madeleine, another mom, included a link to her own blog where she not only describes in words some of her daughter Darcy’s fun times with signs, but also a wonderful video of Darcy signing. I love the video because it shows lots of different contexts in which signing occurs—mealtime, book reading, “out and about” with a great hat on! Over the years I’ve learned that many people don’t “get it” about baby sign language until they see it in action. That’s why videos like these are so valuable. Thanks Madeleine!
I’d love to hear more stories and see more videos. We need to PROVE it's not just "parlor tricks" for babies!
Happy Signing--
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-Founder
The Baby Signs Program
Madeleine, another mom, included a link to her own blog where she not only describes in words some of her daughter Darcy’s fun times with signs, but also a wonderful video of Darcy signing. I love the video because it shows lots of different contexts in which signing occurs—mealtime, book reading, “out and about” with a great hat on! Over the years I’ve learned that many people don’t “get it” about baby sign language until they see it in action. That’s why videos like these are so valuable. Thanks Madeleine!
I’d love to hear more stories and see more videos. We need to PROVE it's not just "parlor tricks" for babies!
Happy Signing--
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-Founder
The Baby Signs Program
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Baby Sign Language—A Boon to Multilingual Households
One of the most frequent questions I get is the following: “My baby is exposed to two languages at home. Won’t adding the Baby Signs Program just make her task more complicated by adding a third?”
The answer is a strong and resounding “No!” The truth is that, no matter what form bilingual input takes, adding signing to the mix actually makes the child’s job easier, not harder. Here’s why.
In a bilingual household, babies hear two words being used to label objects, and what they need to figure out is that both words are equally valid—in other words, that they mean the same thing. For example, if a baby hears both the word “leche” and the word “milk,” he or she needs to understand that the words are equivalent.
And that’s where signing becomes helpful. Quite simply, signs act as mediators between the languages, making the equivalence of words obvious to the baby. For example, when the baby hears “leche” from Mom and “milk” from Dad and both parents pair the word they say with the MILK sign, the parents are making the job of connecting the object with the meanings of both words much easier for babies.
In other words, rather than confusing your bilingual child, baby sign language will help smooth the road to understanding and speaking both spoken languages.
Happy Signing!
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-Founder,
Baby Signs Program
The answer is a strong and resounding “No!” The truth is that, no matter what form bilingual input takes, adding signing to the mix actually makes the child’s job easier, not harder. Here’s why.
In a bilingual household, babies hear two words being used to label objects, and what they need to figure out is that both words are equally valid—in other words, that they mean the same thing. For example, if a baby hears both the word “leche” and the word “milk,” he or she needs to understand that the words are equivalent.
And that’s where signing becomes helpful. Quite simply, signs act as mediators between the languages, making the equivalence of words obvious to the baby. For example, when the baby hears “leche” from Mom and “milk” from Dad and both parents pair the word they say with the MILK sign, the parents are making the job of connecting the object with the meanings of both words much easier for babies.
In other words, rather than confusing your bilingual child, baby sign language will help smooth the road to understanding and speaking both spoken languages.
Happy Signing!
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-Founder,
Baby Signs Program
Monday, July 20, 2009
A Window into the Infant Mind
Much to my delight, the good news about baby sign language has spread far and wide—especially in contrast to how few people knew anything about it when Dr. Susan Goodwyn and I published our first article about babies and signing in 1985.
I do find, however, that many parents and child care providers focus almost exclusively on the signs around mealtime—like EAT, DRINK, MILK, MORE, ALL DONE. What a shame! Yes, babies want and need to communicate these things, but many of them are even more interested in communicating about the exciting things they see in the world around them.
Babies want to tell those they love that they see a doggie, a bird, a butterfly, or a truck. They want to request to read a book, blow bubbles, or go outside. Providing babies with signs for these things, as we do in the Baby Signs® Program, gives them a chance to share their worlds with adults—and gives adults an amazing window into the infant mind.
Happy Signing!
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-Founder
The Baby Signs® Program
I do find, however, that many parents and child care providers focus almost exclusively on the signs around mealtime—like EAT, DRINK, MILK, MORE, ALL DONE. What a shame! Yes, babies want and need to communicate these things, but many of them are even more interested in communicating about the exciting things they see in the world around them.
Babies want to tell those they love that they see a doggie, a bird, a butterfly, or a truck. They want to request to read a book, blow bubbles, or go outside. Providing babies with signs for these things, as we do in the Baby Signs® Program, gives them a chance to share their worlds with adults—and gives adults an amazing window into the infant mind.
Happy Signing!
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-Founder
The Baby Signs® Program
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Baby Sign Language and Learning to Talk
By far the most frequently voiced concern about encouraging babies to use signs to communicate before they can talk is that doing so will slow down verbal development. In fact, the exact opposite is true. Baby sign language actually speeds up the process.
How do we know? With a grant from the federal government, Dr. Susan Goodwyn and I compared verbal development in babies using the Baby Signs Program with that of non-signing babies. In test after test the babies who signed were more advanced than the non-signers in language skills. (Click here to read the published study by Goodwyn, Acredolo & Brown, 2000.)
We really weren’t surprised because we had already observed the following ways in which baby signing spurs language skills.
1. Signing is to talking as crawling is to walking. In other words, just as crawling excites babies about getting around even faster by walking, the excitement of being able to communicate with signs motivates babies to figure out ways to communicate better—and the most obvious way is with words.
2. The experience of baby signing teaches babies useful lessons about how language works (like using symbols to label objects, etc.). These lessons speed up the process of learning to talk once 3. The natural reaction to a baby’s use of a sign is to “bathe” the child with words, and the more words a child hears, the faster he or she will learn to talk. What’s more, signs enable babies to pick the topic of conversation, thereby increasing the likelihood that they will listen attentively to the words parents say.
4. Every time a baby successfully uses a sign to label something, circuits in the brain are strengthened; circuits that then make learning words easier.
5. Signing makes book-reading more fun for babies because they can actively participate, and book-reading increases a baby’s exposure to vocabulary items.
So, the next time someone suggests that your use of the Baby Signs® Program is going to keep your child from talking, just smile knowingly, roll your eyes, and say “Oh, that old wive’s tale!”
Happy Signing!
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-founder, the Baby Signs® Program
How do we know? With a grant from the federal government, Dr. Susan Goodwyn and I compared verbal development in babies using the Baby Signs Program with that of non-signing babies. In test after test the babies who signed were more advanced than the non-signers in language skills. (Click here to read the published study by Goodwyn, Acredolo & Brown, 2000.)
We really weren’t surprised because we had already observed the following ways in which baby signing spurs language skills.
1. Signing is to talking as crawling is to walking. In other words, just as crawling excites babies about getting around even faster by walking, the excitement of being able to communicate with signs motivates babies to figure out ways to communicate better—and the most obvious way is with words.
2. The experience of baby signing teaches babies useful lessons about how language works (like using symbols to label objects, etc.). These lessons speed up the process of learning to talk once 3. The natural reaction to a baby’s use of a sign is to “bathe” the child with words, and the more words a child hears, the faster he or she will learn to talk. What’s more, signs enable babies to pick the topic of conversation, thereby increasing the likelihood that they will listen attentively to the words parents say.
4. Every time a baby successfully uses a sign to label something, circuits in the brain are strengthened; circuits that then make learning words easier.
5. Signing makes book-reading more fun for babies because they can actively participate, and book-reading increases a baby’s exposure to vocabulary items.
So, the next time someone suggests that your use of the Baby Signs® Program is going to keep your child from talking, just smile knowingly, roll your eyes, and say “Oh, that old wive’s tale!”
Happy Signing!
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-founder, the Baby Signs® Program
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Signing: A Priceless Gift for One Little Girl
Ever hear someone say, “Oh, signing---that’s just parlor tricks for babies. You say a word and they produce the sign. How is that any different from a dog who rolls over when you say the words?” Whenever I hear comments like this I know that that person has been around a signing baby enough to see the Baby Signs Program in action. So, what do I say in response? I tell them the following story
Heather, a Baby Signs instructor in Iowa, had a baby daughter who started using signs at about 10 months and became quite the signer by 14 months. It was at this point that the baby began to have what looked like severe temper tantrums. She would flail her arms and legs and twist her head back and forth, often falling to the floor. When Heather sought help, she was simply told that it was probably just the terrible-twos starting early. But then Heather noticed that each time her daughter had one of these “spells,” she would tap her index fingers together—the sign for HURT. That’s when Heather knew something serious was wrong—and she was right. Heather insisted that she see a pediatric neurologist who discovered that her daughter had Childhood Epilepsy! Fortunately, because it was diagnosed extremely early, she escaped any long term neurological problems and has done so well that she was spared long term medication.
Certainly doesn’t sound like “parlor tricks” to me! How about you?
Happy Signing!
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-Founder
Baby Signs Program
Heather, a Baby Signs instructor in Iowa, had a baby daughter who started using signs at about 10 months and became quite the signer by 14 months. It was at this point that the baby began to have what looked like severe temper tantrums. She would flail her arms and legs and twist her head back and forth, often falling to the floor. When Heather sought help, she was simply told that it was probably just the terrible-twos starting early. But then Heather noticed that each time her daughter had one of these “spells,” she would tap her index fingers together—the sign for HURT. That’s when Heather knew something serious was wrong—and she was right. Heather insisted that she see a pediatric neurologist who discovered that her daughter had Childhood Epilepsy! Fortunately, because it was diagnosed extremely early, she escaped any long term neurological problems and has done so well that she was spared long term medication.
Certainly doesn’t sound like “parlor tricks” to me! How about you?
Happy Signing!
Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Co-Founder
Baby Signs Program
GreenDaily.com on Green Potty Training
Ever wonder how potty training can be considered a "green" activity?
Read more at http://www.greendaily.com/2009/03/27/baby-signs-potty-training/.
Read more at http://www.greendaily.com/2009/03/27/baby-signs-potty-training/.
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