A Great Way To Understand Your Baby And Him Understanding You.

Ever wish your baby can express his needs by telling you instead of crying in distress? They can if we, parents are willing to teach them a way to. But how? Sign language may be a way.. 

Baby Liv knows how to express her needs for hunger and thirst before she learns to talk. I started sign language with her when she was at a tender age of six months old. Of course, I felt silly because it was like talking and making weird actions to myself. But I believed she would eventually understands me. One day, at nine months old, Liv started signing back at me. I was having lunch  magazine while she was busy crawling around the room. Then, I heard constant 'baaa baaa baa..." from her. Was she practicing her speech? NO! As I looked up at her, she was looking back at me impatiently with one hand holding onto her Gerber cereal snack and the other hand doing the "eat" sign! She was telling me that she wanted some snacks to eat! I was ecstatic!

Baby Liv is curious with everything around her and teaching her sign language is in fact one of the best thing to do to allow her to explore even further. 

There are so many classes for babies and as a first time mother, I was unsure of what was suitable for Liv to participate in. I understand that babies need a certain amount of exposure to their surroundings. For e.g activities, things, people etc. But at the same time I do not want to pack a string of activities for my baby that may tire her out. She is still young, she needs her own time and as much shut-eye as possible. I believe babies should not be caught up with rigid schedules. They should learn and grow on their own pace day by day, having free time for self exploring. Even if it means to simply roam around the house and pull out all his diapers from the diapers storage. Every little things happening around him is a whole new experience! Well, anyway, a mother friend of mine suggested baby sign language classes for Liv. I hesitated awhile because I was a little worried that sign language might interfere with her verbal language skills, signing rather than talking. It was then that I did some research found many benefits to it!

Stimulates brain development

When learning sign language, it requires one to use both left and right hemisphere of the brain. Whereas when learning just spoken language, it only uses the left hemisphere of the brain. Research had found that children exposed to sign language as babies has a 12 points higher I.Q. at eight years of age than non-signing children. Wow!

Improved confidence

Babies feel the increased confidence with their ability in expressing their needs. Their thoughts and feelings are easily put across. They may develop an eagerness to learn and are more willing to try a new activity. And because they understand signs, they know what is to come, they sense security and is more confident too.

Increased vocabulary and language skills

Parents are worried that sign language might hinder their child's verbal language development but in fact, research indicates that signing may actually improve vocabulary and language. Parents tend to describe more and emphasise each words we say as we sign, that in turn allow our child to be able to develop verbal language earlier. The more they are spoken to and engaged with, the more likely they are going to try on their own. 

Less Frustration

Because signing babies are able to communicate their needs, they cry and fuss less. It cuts the frustration levels in both parents and babies. Our little cute pie do not have to stage tantrums and meltdowns while we, parents do not have to keep guessing why they are distraught. 

Closer Bond

Have you wondered how babies think, see and feel? Many a times, I do wonder how Liv looks at the world. How she felt when I leave her for awhile to run errands? Was she excited over her first merry go round ride? Did something frighten her that made her cried? Sign language allows deeper understanding between us and our child. Each time he uses a sign and you respond, you build a strong bond between you and your baby. As he realises that the both of you can communicate even before he can speak to you verbally, he grows to be confident in you and trust you.

Developing a deep connection with your baby that is long lasting and irreplaceable.

Classes for sign language are readily available. Type "Sign Language Classes for Babies in Singapore" on the search engine and viola! A list of schools to choose from. Another alternative to classes is to self teach your babies, which is what I am doing now. The reason being is that I am with her most of the time. I am given the opportunities to incorporate actions in my verbal conversations with her all the time. For example, to bathe, to play, to sleep etc. She gets to communicate with me on  a daily basis too. Classes or self teach, I feel that it is beneficial anyway. Interaction is the key!

Now, at 12 months old, Liv is still practising sign language. She still do not know how to do many signs but she sure does understands me when I sign to her. More fun and less frustration between us! Teaching babies sign language requires consistency and most importantly, patience. They may seem uninterested or not paying attention to you, but they actually are! And one day, they are going to surprise you! 

Liv's hand signs can sometimes be a little off from the actual signs but it is still understandable. Here she was in the picture, signing "more" as I fed her.