Have you ever wanted to figure out what your baby is trying to say when he cries? Probably every parent has. It can be frustrating to try to soothe a fussy baby when he refuses his bottle and doesn’t need to be changed. Baby sign language can facilitate communication between you and your little one. Parents are a child’s first teachers; consider sharing sign language skills with your baby to reduce frustration and start him on the path toward speech and language development. Remember to voice the words associated with the signs as you use them to help him learn spoken language, as well. Older children can also benefit from learning sign language, particularly if they have a speech disorder or delay, or if they have hearing loss. Here are a few helpful sign language apps to help you get started.
Apps for Baby Sign Language
Language DevelopmentSpeech-language pathologists (SLPs) agree that maintaining a constant flow of conversation around young children can help encourage the development of speech and language. But what about nonverbal language? If you’re the parent of an infant, it can be frustrating to try to discern what your baby wants when he cries. Using nonverbal communication cues like baby sign language can reduce frustration for both you and your baby. It can also encourage speech and language development. Baby sign language isn’t just for babies, either. If you have an older child who is nonverbal or who has limited speech, sign language can help him express his needs and wants. As a bonus, it’s inexpensive to learn how to sign. Even as your other household bills are soaring, you can learn sign language for the low cost of an instructional app.
Teaching Your Child Sign Language
Speech Therapy TechniquesBenefits of Sign Language
Sign language isn’t just for the hearing impaired. You can use sign language to communicate with your baby to better understand his needs and wants. Children with a speech disorder can also use sign language as a type of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. Many children with speech disorders struggle to express themselves; nonverbal communication methods can help reduce their frustration. Furthermore, sign language can facilitate the development of verbal language. Your child may benefit from using sign language alone or in conjunction with other AAC devices like picture cards or electronic AAC devices.