Sign language with Baby

Communicate with my baby using sign language!

Sign language for babies: from what age?

“It is possible to start practicing signs with your child from 7-8 months,” explains Nathalie Vigneau, creator of Kestumdis, family workshops and professional sign training with babies. ” AAt this age, the little ones begin to imitate adults thanks to their psychomotor progress and communication through gestures becomes possible. Even though babies can’t speak yet, they have a lot to tell us. Sign language allows them to express themselves on a daily basis, and at the same time allows parents, as well as early childhood professionals, to listen to them in order to better meet their expectations.

What signs to start with?

Of course, you already know a number of signs, such as “goodbye”, “no”, “shhh”… Sometimes you do them even without realizing it. Suddenly, initiation to sign language will be child’s play. First use simple gestures / words to communicate with your little one. Also recurring gestures, such as “drinking”, “sleeping” or “blanket”. And, of course, remember to always associate them with the spoken word. “I signed several months before my daughter signed in turn,” says Nathalie Vigneau. But of course, each child is different and signs at their own pace. Even so, you will still need a little patience before seeing your baby ask you for a cake as a sign. But everything happens! And if your baby still isn’t willing to give you a sign, don’t hesitate to persevere. Over time, he will understand and start imitating you.

Rather than inventing your own signs that would prompt your baby to use a “parallel language” that only you would understand, you can use the “word gestures” from French sign language which are useful to him in everyday life. You can pick the signs adapted to the child from the adapted dictionaries.

When to practice sign language

There are no specific rules on when to practice sign language with your baby. You can focus on certain key moments of the day, such as meals, bathing, etc. to introduce a few signs into your daily life. However, practicing sign language shouldn’t be a burden on you, but on the contrary a pleasure and why not a game. Nursery rhymes and readings also help to enrich vocabulary.

Sign language: to better understand your baby

Practicing sign language with your baby has more than one benefit, for him and for you. Using sign language your little one can easily tell you he’s hungry, sleepy, needs a diaper changed, or was afraid of something you haven’t noticed. . Between you, communication is easier, you understand your baby better. By making yourself understood more easily through sign language, you are able to better meet your baby’s needs and well-being. It also helps strengthen your links. By speaking with the signs, your little one makes himself understood more quickly and no longer needs to resort to crying (or screaming!). He feels more listened to, more confident too. He is less frustrated with getting a message across and being misunderstood, which also reduces anger. “Practicing sign language with your child is really considering him as a full person, with desires, emotions and desires, and it is giving him the opportunity to express them”, specifies Nathalie Vigneau. Sign language helps improve interactions between parents and their baby at an age when the baby has difficulty expressing what he is feeling and thinking. As long as it remains fun and transitory. It must not become coded language.

Sign language for babies: dispel misconceptions

Rest assured: practicing sign language with your baby does not in any way delay the acquisition of speech. There is also no risk of your baby continuing to sign to be understood, instead of speaking orally. Quite the contrary! According to research conducted in the United States, 2-year-old children who practiced, very young, sign language would even be a little ahead of their language level compared to other children. A view shared by supporters of sign language for babies. As they explain, these are the same areas of the brain that are activated when a child produces words or gestures.

However, don’t worry if you don’t feel drawn to this type of communication. Your baby will not be penalized.