HOME -- POLITICS -- SPORTS -- LIFE -- SCI/TECH -- OPEDS -- HELPFUL TIPS
|
Mar 13, 2003 You thought that because they can't speak, they cannot convey to you what they are thinking. Now, new studies make it possible to communicate with your toddler long before he can make a complete thought. A great way to begin communicating with babies before they are able to speak is through sign language. The signs are simple to learn, and many remember after seeing them only once. Joseph Garcia, author of Sign with your Baby, first began helping families with one deaf member and accidentally learned that children who were unable to speak could learn sign language. Now he has a video to teach every parent who wants to learn to communicate with their infants. At first, it seems like it would be difficult, but it is not. The best part is that its not a complicated process. Were not suggesting that you learn or teach an entire language, the narrator on the video explains. They suggest starting when the infant is six to eight months and to expect a response by the time he is eight or nine months. It is also important to note that it is never too late to begin. Even older, speaking children can benefit from this. For instance, if your child is across the room in public, instead of yelling, it could benefit both of you to sign no. There are many rewards for both parents and children, because both will have less frustrations in communication. The baby can ask for food, a bottle, a diaper change or whatever else he needs, and the parent will not have to guess what the baby wants by his crying. It is quicker and more efficient in pleasing everyone. For mothers who have been embarrassed by their children pulling down their shirt in public while wanting to nurse, this is an effective answer for everyone. Alice Stroutsos, a speech pathologist said, Ive chosen to use signs both in my practice and at home, because its another tool to communicate with. A few tips to remember when starting to teach the child are to keep it simple. Do not expect to see results immediately, and do not become discouraged because all babies catch on eventually. It is easier for them than learning to walk. Garcia said, Make the sign just below the sightline and use expression. There are three good times to introduce new signs. Make sure that the baby is looking at you and making direct eye contact, explains Garcia. There are three types of gazes that will work. The first is the pointed gaze. Suppose a cat or person walks into the room and the two of you look up and then towards each other. This is a great opportunity to sign kitty cat or man or dad or whatever it is that has occurred. Make sure that the child understands or he could get confused. The second type of gaze is the chance mutual. Whenever your eyes meet and there is not a lot of action going on, use that for an opportunity to introduce a nearby object. Finally, the expressive gaze is that look he gets when he wants or needs something. As a parent, if it is time to eat, suggest food and make the sign for food by putting finger tips to mouth as if putting food into mouth. Many children learn quicker by teaching through poetry or playing games such as hide the shoe. Hide a shoe and sign where by waving one index finger back and forth. When they find it, sign good by extending the finger tips from chin downward. Ask again signing where, and then sign shoe by tapping two closed fists together on the index finger side. The most effective way to teach them is through consistency. They learn by seeing the signs over and over, so it does take some work to incorporate this into the daily routine. If the child is willing, move his hands for him so he can feel what it is like to do it himself, but it is not a good idea to force them or withhold anything from them to make them make the sign. This will cause resistance and is not effective. When they do make the sign, praise them and they will be excited and anxious to do it more often. Reinforce their efforts by rewarding them with food or drink if that is what they are requesting. For this reason, food signs are the easiest to start with and once they catch on, add to their knowledge by introducing new ones. Dr. Burton White author of two books on early childhood development said, We routinely find that some of the most difficult months in the early years of parenting are between 17 to 20 months of age ... Children are least able to tolerate frustration during that three month period, and one of the major reasons is they cant easily say whats on their mind. A child who has a reasonably extensive signing vocabulary is much better off in that respect. In other words, parents, signing has proven to lessen problems during those terrible twos! For more information, call 877-SIGN 2 ME. About the author: Brooke Hadley currently writes freelance feature articles and has six years of professional writing experience. She has recently been published in Mystic, CT, Los Angeles, CA, and Austin, TX. She currently lives in Austin with her new hubby and their son, Skylar Austin. Email Brooke Hadley: PersistentGerl@hotmail.com. ------------ Comment on this column in the forum. ------------ |
||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
