1. How will sign language affect our baby’s language development?

Through signs, babies learn that their thoughts can be conveyed symbolically. For example, a baby may think “All I have to do is touch my fingers to my lips and my parents will understand that I’m hungry!” Babies also learn that language can be used to influence others. “I can get Dad to put more crackers on my plate if I sign MORE.” Signing lets babies begin to explore and understand the basic functions of language at a very early age.

Babies can use signs to choose the topic of conversation. This allows them to direct an adult’s attention to the things they want to investigate. “All I have to do to get my parents to tell me more about airplanes is make the sign for AIRPLANE.”

In addition to giving babies an early understanding of the functions of language, signs help reinforce the meaning of spoken words, especially when both words and signs are used simultaneously.

Children in multi-lingual environments also benefit from signing. Many families use signs as a common link between two (or more) different languages spoken in the home. (top)

2. Why does your program use American Sign Language (ASL)?

Using a standardized language not only provides family members with a unified system of communication, but also offers childcare providers a consistent means to better serve the needs of all children. When a family uses a collection of fabricated “home signs” and gestures with their baby, it greatly decreases the likelihood that the child will be able to communicate with other families, caregivers, and children. It also provides a foundation for the continued learning of ASL throughout a child’s life.

ASL is standardized throughout the United States and Canada, and is currently the third most commonly-used language in North America. (top)

3. Will it be difficult for our baby to learn and understand the signs?

No. Most babies learn to identify and then form signs quickly. The structure of ASL is compatible with the nature of language development in infants. One sign can relate an entire concept. Young children begin communicating using one-word sentences (in this case, one-gesture sentences) to express complete thoughts or needs. For example, by making a single meaningful gesture by raising their arms, they are able to communicate “Pick me up!”

ASL signs are also very iconic; in many cases, the signs resemble the objects or concepts they represent. This will help both you and your child remember signs. (top)

4. Will it be difficult for me to learn to sign with our baby?

No. Successfully communicating with your baby does not require fluency in ASL. Rather, we recommend introducing signs that are relevant to your child’s interaction with the world. It is most important to be consistent while signing: identify which signs you wish to use, and use them frequently during interactions with your baby. (top)

5. Does signing with babies delay their speech development?

Research conclusively indicates that babies who sign tend to have a stronger command of verbal language and often begin speaking at an earlier age than babies who do not sign. Countless parents and caregivers have confirmed these findings with their personal experiences and observations. In addition, many Speech-Language professionals, pediatricians, and educators are supporting the use of signs to encourage early language development. (top)

6. What is the optimal age to introduce signs to our baby?

No age is too early to begin learning and modeling signs with your baby, though most babies will be physically unable to reproduce signs until the sixth to eighth month. A baby needs to develop memory, dexterity, and cognition adequate for recognizing, retaining, and producing signs. At the same time, it’s never too late to start; even toddlers who have a few spoken words can significantly benefit from signing. Learning specific signs for “ball”, “bath”, and “bottle” can help distinguish the specific word when “ba-ba” is used for all three items. Using the sign paired with the baby’s spoken sound can help reduce frustration for both you and your baby. (top)

7. What scientific research supports the idea of signing with babies?

Joseph Garcia first researched the concept of learning and teaching signs to babies in 1987 as part of his Master’s Program at Alaska Pacific University. A longitudinal study was conducted at the University of California at Davis by Drs. Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn. This study, which followed babies through their eighth year, indicated that signing with babies offers many benefits, including a strengthened parent-child bond, increased interest in books, enhanced verbal language development, and higher IQs. (top)

8. How long will it take for our baby to produce the signs?

You should take into account the age of your child, how frequently you and other caregivers use the signs, and how interested the child is in communicating. Some parents see results within a few days, others wait several weeks, and others, months. Consistently using a few signs on a daily basis is the key to success in this program. The further along children are in their development, the sooner they may begin to produce signs. (top)

9. Can signing be a benefit to older children who are already speaking?

Most preschool and elementary-age children love signing, as it engages their minds and their bodies. They love the movement, rhythm, and flow of sign language. Pairing the fun of signing with music is an excellent activity for children ages 3-8. The rhythm of the music, coordinated with the movements of the signs, is an excellent motor coordination activity that also builds language skills. This is also an appropriate time to teach children about the diverse populations who use ASL as a primary means of communication. There is research indicating that the use of signs can assist with the development of early literacy skills. (top)

10. Can we introduce signing in a bilingual environment?

Yes. Many families use sign as the common denominator for teaching several spoken language. Signs serve as a visual representation, creating a bridge between two spoken words that sound different. Research indicates that young children in bilingual environments eventually develop fluency in both languages.

Parents of foreign-born adopted children have found signing to be extremely helpful in bridging the immediate communication barrier, providing both parent and child a common, shared language. (top)