There are many benefits of Baby Sign Language. There has been over two decades of research into the use of Baby Sign Language and the long term effects of using Baby Sign Language; all of it is very encouraging. In fact, there isn’t one study that has been conducted that has found any negative effects of signing with your baby. That’s pretty impressive considering there is over 25 years of research!

Why Teach Baby Sign Language

As with anything that is a unique concept there will be skeptics. Many people wonder why they would teach their child Sign Language when their child doesn’t have a hearing impairment. Others worry what people will think when they see you communicating in public with Baby Sign Language. Thankfully due to much media attention and a greater community of signing parents, Baby Sign Language is becoming very popular. People in general are more aware of what Baby Sign Language is all about and the associated benefits. 

Research shows the benefits of baby sign language.

A National Institute of Health (NIH) funded experimental study was conducted by Drs Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn in 1989 to determine if Baby Sign Language would delay speech development in children. The study assigned the children into two groups, one that used Baby Sign Language and one that did not. Children were recruited at the age of eleven months and their language development was followed until they were three years old. Language assessments designed to measure comprehension and language production were conducted at intervals during the study. The ability to put words into sentences and intellectual development was measured at 24 months. The most interesting finding was that the average scores of children using Baby Sign Language were higher than the control group who were not using Baby Sign Language. At twenty-four months, the signing children had a three month developmental advantage over the non-signing children. Even more amazing was that at thirty-six months, this had increased to be equivalent to a twelve month advantage in their overall language skills and comprehension.

Toddler Interpreter teach Baby Signs and they offer the best Free Baby Sign Language chart available online and their Baby Sign Language Book is used by parents and childcare centres in the United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to Teach Baby Sign Language. Sign Language for Babies can be taught using Toddler Interpreter’s comprehensive Baby Sign Language Dictionary. Sign Language for Toddlers can help reduce frustration and Baby Sign Language has proved very beneficial for Premature Babies and other babies at risk of developing a speech delay.

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