We’ve all seen those videos of precocious babies signing words like “milk” and “more” long before they can utter a single word.
It’s amazing to watch, and it begs the question: can babies learn sign language before speech?
The answer, it turns out, is a resounding yes!
In fact, research has shown that teaching babies sign language can actually help them learn to speak sooner.
Here’s how it works.
How Sign Language Helps Babies Learn to Speak
When babies are born, they have the ability to make a wide range of sounds.
But they don’t yet have the ability to put those sounds together into words.
That ability develops over time, as babies learn to associate certain sounds with certain meanings.
Sign language provides a way for babies to communicate their needs and wants before they’re able to form words.
For example, a baby who wants milk can sign “milk” long before she can say the word.
This not only helps her get what she wants, but it also helps her associate the sign with the meaning.
As she continues to see and use the sign for milk, she’ll eventually start saying the word out loud as well.
In other words, learning sign language gives babies a head start in learning to communicate—which in turn helps them learn to speak sooner.
And that’s not all; research has also shown that teaching babies sign language can improve their cognitive development and memory skills.
So there are plenty of good reasons to teach your baby some basic signs!
Conclusion
If you’re wondering whether or not you should teach your baby sign language, the answer is a resounding yes!
Not only will it help them communicate their needs and wants sooner, but it will also give them a head start in learning to speak. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!
Below are the 5 best baby sign language books to get you started.
Just click the button to check them out. Baby sign language is a great way to communicate with your baby before they can speak. It can help reduce frustration, build bonds, and even boost IQ scores.
So why wait? Get started today with one of these great books.