How do I know when my child is ready to learn sign language?
Reading the Signs – Is my Child Ready for Sign Language?
How early can I start signing with my child?
Why not start today? Sign ‘milk’ to your newborn when you’re about to nurse or offer a bottle. At bedtime, sign ‘sleep’. When you’re feeding the baby, take the little one’s hands to help them sign ‘more’ in-between spoonfuls. By doing this, you will get them used to signing and make it part of your daily routine. Before long, you will see that the repetitions and reinforcements occur naturally as your infant grows. Even better, it will help your infant to realise that crying might not be the best means of communication.
Should I teach my child who is already talking, SL?
There are many reasons why learning a second language should be encouraged, and learning SL is great for stimulating a child’s learning through different senses. Children who others see as ‘visual’, ‘spatial’ or ‘tactile learners’ can learn a lot from sign language. Some believe that learning a second language, including SL, can raise a child’s IQ. Hearing loss may be more common than you think; one in ten Americans suffer some degree of hearing disability. If you are familiar with some of the signs, you can give your child the confidence to interact with a deaf child. This would ensure that both children feel comfortable around each other.
I’m worried that learning SL will delay my child’s speech.
You share this concern with many other parents. They are worried that signing will either delay or stint a child’s speech. We are pretty confident that our experience has been the opposite. Your child’s communication needs should be met by learning SL, even if it is done before teaching the child speech. Sign language is as much a language as English or Spanish.
Should I become fluent in SL?
This is your decision. It will certainly be a great achievement if you become fluent in SL, but knowing the basics should suffice. Sign language, like any other second language, will require time, patience and plenty of practice. So surround yourself with others who are fluent.
Why can’t I just use made up signs?
You are taking time to teach and reinforce signs that have meaning to millions of SL users. Would it not make more sense, therefore, to involve your child in a language that has international recognition? Your child’s caregivers (who might include doctors, preschools, daycare centres, etc.) may prefer using SL and not a made up language consisting of different signs for each child in their care.
If a hearing child starts out as a ‘baby signer’, he or she can communicate with deaf children and adults. This child can also take advantage of other SL materials, which may include videos or SL playgroup. The foundation for the study of SL as a second language later in life exists and this may be made possible by using SL signs instead of made up signs.
A very valid point, brought up by some of our Deaf customers, is that made up signs may mean something completely different in SL, which could lead to potentially humorous and/or embarrassing situations.
My child is struggling with the SL signs. Is that ok?
Some children may struggle with the signs, and adapt to whatever they are physically able to do. Eventually, when their motor skills have had more chance to develop, their signing should improve. Compare this so speech development, where ‘Da-da’ becomes ‘Daddy’ or ‘Dad’ over time.
How long will it take my child to learn SL?
This will depend on when you start signing with your child. Newborns may not be able to sign until they are 8 to 14-months-old. Should you start signing with your 2-year-old, you’ll notice the uptake is slow. The child may not respond immediately, and it may take a couple of months. Any physical, mental or developmental delays should be taken into consideration.
Why should my hearing child learn SL?
There are children who are not developmentally ready to speak until they are two years old. Signs are far easier to learn, especially for babies. There are studies that show children who are as young as 6-months-old understanding and communicating with limited signs.
Being unable to communicate may cause frustration and anger tantrums, so very small children benefit from SL as they can express themselves.
Would signing help with tantrums and ‘The Terrible Twos’?
Tantrums and ‘The Terrible Twos’ are about frustration and the inability to communicate. Children who can communicate show less frustration. Verbal skills take a backseat to motor skills in the early years, so signing can be a tremendous help.
Is it a good idea to teach my 6-year-old SL?
Children of all ages can learn to love SL. It proves to be a valuable tool at any age and your six-year-old will be quick to learn all the signs, perhaps even picking up additional signs that will impress deaf playmates. And older children love using SL as their own ‘secret language’.