Question

In: Psychology

To Sign or Not to Sign? Child development experts agree that it is a good idea...

To Sign or Not to Sign?

Child development experts agree that it is a good idea for parents to begin talking to their babies from the moment of birth. From that moment on, babies are learning language.

Why wait until babies can speak to teach them to communicate with the caregivers? Why not teach them sign language and communicate with them in sign language when they are 4 or 6 months old??


Controversial at the time it was first suggested a few years ago, teaching babies to sign has plenty of supporters and lots of companies willing to train you and your baby to sign. In fact, the only detractors come from those who fear that parents may feel under pressure to learn sign language in order to make sure their babies get the claimed “jump start” on language development.

Among the benefits are exposures to making language six months or more before most children speak their first word (usually at 12 months) thus enabling babies to express themselves. Experts say babies and caregivers are less frustrated because they can express their needs and wishes. It is also believed that signing babies become more adept at spoken language earlier. Some suggest that IQ scores are higher among babies who signed before speaking by as many as 10-12 points.


What is your take of this idea? Have you ever heard of it? Would you want to learn sign language in order to teach their babies to sign?

Below are a number of websites to further explore the topic. Look at one or two of them before participating in the discussion.  

http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/talktoyourbaby/signing.html#talk

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/baby-sign-language/faq-20057980

http://psychcentral.com/lib/teaching-your-baby-sign-language-can-benefit-both-of-you/

Solutions

Expert Solution

Most of the time we look for shortcuts to something which naturally happens because we are living in a fast food world and we, like the small children strive for instant gratification. A child takes 12 months to speak its first word is quite natural and it was the practice from the time humans developed language. Today, if scientists suggest to speed up the language learning process, I think they are only getting greedy and people have to queue up in the training academies to learn and the corporate companies will make more money selling their language services. This will create inferiority complex among the parents who can’t afford to pay for the training thus creating further inequalities in the society. People are already queuing up in front of schools for their just born children but now they have to stress themselves out with additional language training.

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