3 ms·
While not babies, a lot of parents have problems communicating with pre-verbal and basically non-verbal infants... but it's also been found that infants can act
by sdrothrock 9y ago
While not babies, a lot of parents have problems communicating with pre-verbal and basically non-verbal infants... but it's also been found that infants can actually learn and effectively use signs (not to be confused with ASL or a distinct sign language) to communicate.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_sign_language https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_sign_language
- GordonS 9y agoWe did this with both our kids. Our youngest, who is only 8 months old, can already sign in makaton for 'more', 'milk' and 'finished' - and we only started teaching him a few weeks ago! It really is incredible what they are capable of at such a young age. Other parents tell me all the time about how their kids are getting frustrated because the can't communicate verbally - I really don't know why signing for babies isn't more popular.
- sdrothrock 9y agoHow do the other parents react when you tell them about signing? I wonder if it's related to a perception of signing as "for handicapped people" or something, or a worry about it replacing speech.
- GordonS 9y agoPeople's first reaction does indeed tend to be worry that it would somehow delay their childs' speech. I have to admit that, out of ignorance, that was my own first reaction too. However, it's been the exact opposite, signing has only reduced frustration, taught the benefits of communication, and encouraged spoken language.