Little Bear Baby Signing - Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is baby signing?
A: Baby
signing is communicating with your child using physical gestures before their
verbal communication has developed. Babies are able to use these non verbal
signs to give us an insight into their world and communicate their thoughts and
needs with us.
Q: What are the benefits of baby signing?
Baby Signing provides a way to communicate before your baby is able to use words.
In so doing it has been shown to reduce frustration and tantrums and has a knock-on positive effect on your baby's self
confidence and self esteem. Signing stimulates
your baby's linguistic and intellectual development and provides both parents and babies with a really rewarding first
experience of communication. They say actions speak louder than
words so take a moment to watch the video of one of the hundreds of children who have learned to sign with us.
Imagine if that was your child - how amazing would that be!
Q: Will baby signing delay my baby learning to speak?
A: NO, in fact research
suggests the opposite. A baby's natural desire is to communicate with you. Signing does NOT replace speech;
each time you sign with your baby you reinforce the sign by using the word. Your baby copies you and in so doing develops
speech. One study concluded that using baby signs improves language and cognitive ability which did not end when babies
started to talk. In fact using baby signs has far reaching positive implications long after the child has stopped using
the signs. It has been shown that children who signed as babies have 50 more spoken words in their vocabularies by the
age of 2 than children who didn’t sign.
Q: When should I start to sign with my baby?
A: We welcome babies from newborn because the sooner you start the better!
I have several babies in my classes who are just a few weeks old. This will make signing a natural part of your everyday
communication and get you comfortable and competent in using the everyday signs. (Also helpful if mums are going back
to work and only able to come for a term). Babies need to have developed a memory and dexterity which means that
babies are usually around the 6+ months age when they make their first attempts although of course it does vary from child
to child. Babies will show an understanding of a sign before they can produce the sign themselves and we often
see this stage occuring before they are six months. When they first start signing you will quickly be able to introduce
more signs and as they get older the rate at which they learn accelerates. Even toddlers who have started to talk can
still benefit from signing as it will help to build their vocabulary further.
Q: Is baby signing hard to
do?
A: No, anyone can do it. Baby signing
is easy and here at Little Bear Baby Signing we focus on helping you to learn useful everyday signs. Our classes are
designed to show you how to sign in a fun and relaxed way. Our signs are selected from British Sign Language (BSL)
and when there is a choice we always choose the sign which babies will be able to form/remember most easily There
will be other parents/carers there too, all with this shared interest and practising together. Its a really supportive
environment. Babies love it! If you still have any doubts think about how a child waves goodbye - they didnt instinctively
know how to do this, they LEARNED how to do it from others who waved every time they said goodbye. Babies automatically
use gestures and this is the basis on which we learn a range of signs.
Q: What are the classes like?
A: Classes are very relaxed and welcoming. We use a variety of enjoyable methods to help learn the signs
including music, songs, nursery rhymes, books and play. The focus is on having FUN, not about who can remember the words
or sing in tune! Click here to read testimonials from some of my parents. Click here to see photos of my classes. We also include a refreshment break at
the end so this is a chance for babies to play and for parents to have a chat and a biscuit! The advantage of
learning to sign by attending classes is that you have the opportunity to ask questions, share tips, get one to one help,
see other babies signing, all within a supportive group. Because children don't sign back immediately many parents
have found this has provided focus and motivation to keep going in those early days before their child signs back.
A: You can contact us by either phoning Jane Milnes on 07884 075935 or emailing us at jane@littlebearbabysigning.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
