Baby Signing Basics - show your baby how to sign

Easy-to-follow beginner's guide to baby signing, written by Lizzie Betts and beautifully illustrated by Cath Smith

Baby Signing Basics, as the title suggests, contains everything you'll need to know to pick up the basics of baby signing.  

Baby signing is becoming a hugely popular communication tool for parents who are discovering its considerable benefits.  Don't be drawn towards the common misconception that baby signing delays or hinders babies' speech development, as evidence clearly shows that in fact the opposite is true, when signing is done correctly (see the "About baby signing" section below for more information about this).

Lizzie Betts has made learning this potentially daunting skill seem literally like child's play, with her clear and easy-to-follow guidelines and helpful tips.  The beautiful illustrations by Cath Smith support the book's teachings so you can see exactly how to form the signs.

Ideal for communicating with babies aged approximately 5 - 18 months.

The benefits of using sign language with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers are very wide ranging.  Here are just a few that have been recognised and scientifically proven:

• Removes distress and therefore a baby's need to cry in order to get what they may need.
   
• Reduces your baby's stress levels and the release of the stress hormone cortisol on both baby and parent.
   
• Provides your baby with an easy way to communicate with you – before they can talk!
   
• Strengthens the bond between you and your baby, helping to develop secure attachment.
   
• Increases your baby's confidence.
   
• Better and more complex language development – generally at an earlier age.
   
• Really helpful for multi-lingual families as the sign remains the same whatever language(s) you may use.
   
• When children are unwell or tired, they often revert to signing even if speech has begun, as they are more confident of being understood.
   
• When speech begins, signing can help you to distinguish what your baby actually means, leading to less frustration and anger.  You are also able to gently help your baby by providing the correct pronunciation.
   
• Reinforces memory and creative skills.
   
• Helps in the development of language and literacy skills which are at the heart of young chlidren's learning; children need to communicate effectively to learn and develop other skills.

A popular misconception is the belief that baby signing delays speech.  This couldn't be further from the truth and the evidence clearly shows that signing babies have more words and more complex speech at an earlier age – if signing is done correctly.  The benefits of learning to sign continue well into childhood, with studies showing signing children having significantly higher IQs than non-signing children at age 8 (Acredolo and Goodwyn 2000). 

© Lizzie Betts

Product code: BooksBSB