How to Teach Ba’s First Signs
baby
Article by Sherri Haggard
It is a little known fact that babies can use sign language long before they can speak. In fact, if you start early, your baby can be communicating long before they begin to speak. As a mom, let me tell you, the first time my baby signed “mommy,” I about died. I was so happy and so can you.
The Easy SignsWhile mommy and daddy are not the easiest signs, you can teach your baby to tap their chin for mom and tap the forehead for dad. When they get older, you can teach them to do it with an open hand. Then with fingers spread, the thumb touches the chin or forehead. At first, your baby will do a closed fist and this is fine.
However, your baby can learn to do love correctly from the beginning. All your baby needs to do is cross their arms. Trust me, when your baby combines the love sign with the mom or dad sign, your heart will melt.
Aunt is just as easy. It is a closed fist twisting by the cheek. Very simple to perform and easy for a baby to do.
When to StartWhile videos like Baby Einstein will say it starts at six months, I have found it is never too early to start. Frankly, with my youngest child, I started from the day he was born. I would make the signs to him each time I said mom, dad, or love. I would also move his hands to do the signs.
To my surprise and everyone else’s, my youngest started signing mom, dad, love, and aunt at 2 months old. This is highly unusual and I would not expect your baby to sign quite this early. However, I have seen many babies start signing around 6 months, just like the video says. Since most babies don’t talk until around a year, you will have six months of extra communication.
More Signs to TeachAfter you have taught these first signs, you will want to teach some signs that will help you out. You can find out exactly how to sign them by going to http://www.lifeprint.com/. Once there, look up the word to find out exactly how it is formed.
Useful Signs:
MoreAgain Help Milk Fish (use for goldfish crackers) Cookie Please WantThese signs are all easy to teach and they have the benefit of allowing your baby to communicate his or her wants and needs. Once your baby learns these signs, you will be thrilled you took the time to teach them.
Sherri has been writing articles for nearly 2 years. Come visit her latest website over at http://charbroilgrillpartsreview.com which helps people find the best Char Broil Replacement Parts.
