Everyone has seen babies signing somewhere; in the movies, talking about it in mom's groups or on YouTube. But is signing right for you? Read on to find out all about the first signing program designed intentionally for hearing babies, Baby Signs®.
When did Baby Signs® Originate?
Although research began in 1982, the public was first introduced to the Baby Signs® Program in 1996 via the book, Baby Signs: How to Talk With Your Baby Before Your Baby Can
Talk. The book sparked a grassroots movement fueled by word of mouth as more and more families discovered for themselves how easy signing with babies is and how many benefits it yields. The book has sold over 500,000 copies, has been translated into 14 languages, and has launched a baby sign language movement that is sweeping the world!
What the Research Says.
One reason that the Baby Signs® Program has been so well-received is because it is so firmly
grounded in research. Below is a summary of the major research findings from our UC Davis research.
Faster Verbal Development:
Babies who had been in the Baby Signs®Program developed both
receptive and productive verbal skills faster than those who had not. (Journal of Nonverbal
Behavior, 2000)
Higher IQ Scores:
Retested at age 8, the children in our NIH-funded study who been in the Baby
Signs® Program as babies scored significantly higher (by 12 points) on IQ tests than children who had not. (International Conference on Infant Studies, Paris, 2000)
Emotional Benefits:
A content analysis of parent interviews indicated that signing was
associated with lower frustration, greater respect for babies’ abilities, enriched parent-child
relationships, increased interest in books, and enhanced infant self-esteem (Acredolo &
Goodwyn, 1996).
This Sounds Interesting, but Can Babies Really Sign?
As parents of young children know, babies actually give many signs! They wave "bye-bye" and point to things they want. They make faces at food they don't like and smile when we do something funny. These are all "baby signs"! This is their way of getting their needs met, and understanding that language has an important role in telling those in charge of them what they want. Babies are well equipped at getting their needs met! When parents foster their children's language by giving them access to more signs, their children are able to communicate and most importantly connect to those around them!
