Mar
28
2012
In a recent article on Parents.com, Richard Rende, Ph.D. shared a list of 25 words that a typical 2-year-old should be saying. Baby Signing Time DVDs and Baby Signing Time Board Books can give your child exposure to many of these important early words.
How does signing support spoken language?
In the white paper “Signing with Babies and Children,” Dr. Claire Vallotton of Michigan State University summarizes what research can tell us about the link between signing and talking:
- “In one case study, each time the child learned the sign for a certain concept, the word followed shortly after it, from the time the child was 8 months until 18 months.
- Meredith Rowe and Susan Goldin-Meadow studied 52 typically developing children from toddlerhood to preschool age; they found that the number of different concepts children represented through gestures at 18 months predicted their vocabulary at 42 months.
- Finally, there are several studies that have shown that the same areas of the brain –the areas for understanding meaning in symbols – are activated by symbolic gestures and signs as well as by words. And a study by Spencer Kelly and colleagues has shown that these meaningful hand movements which activate this area of the brain make learning a new word easier.”
Mar
28
2012
MYTH: ASL is too complicated for babies.
Excerpt from SuperBaby: 12 Ways to Give Your Child a Head Start in the First 3 Years
Whenever I speak to my toddlers, Mendez and Quincy, I use real words so I can provide an accurate model, even though I know they are not yet able to reproduce the sounds I’m making. As children get more speaking experience, they refine their speech and become more capable of accurately pronouncing words. It is a bad idea to invent words to take the place of complex words your child can’t pronounce yet. If he can’t say the word “preschool,” you wouldn’t teach him to call it “baba” because it’s easier. You would just continue to model the correct word until he is able to say it. Similarly, there is no reason to make up your own hand signs because the ASL versions are more sophisticated. You can trust that your child’s motor skills will catch up. – Dr. Jenn
TRUTH: Babies can learn real signs the same way they learn real words.
Get SuperBaby now in the Baby Sign Language Starter Kit
Mar
26
2012
MYTH: Signing is something only type-A parents who are trying to raise a genius baby would do.
Excerpt from SuperBaby: 12 Ways to Give Your Child a Head Start in the First 3 Years
I think Dr. Alan Greene said it best: “teaching your baby sign language is not about power-parenting, it’s another loving way to interact. Signing can potentially increase your child’s IQ, vocabulary, and reading ability, but the most important thing about it is that it opens the door to communication for your child much earlier than it would happen otherwise, allowing you and your child to get closer. This ability to communicate with your child sooner is a gift that can reduce tears and frustration for both parent and child. Who wouldn’t want that? – Dr. Jenn
TRUTH: Signing isn’t about power-parenting, it’s another loving way to interact!
Get SuperBaby now in the Baby Sign Language Starter Kit
Mar
20
2012
New Board Books Boost Early Literacy Skills!
Research shows that signing boosts early learning. Baby Signing Time videos help build vocabulary by actively involving infants and toddlers in learning. Support your child’s learning even more with the new Baby Signing Time Board Books! Point, sign and read together with these adorable books featuring Baby Alex, Baby Leah and Baby Hopkins. Each book is 18 pages and contains a handy signing guide for easy reference. Choose from these individual titles: Time to Eat, Good Night Alex and Leah, What Do You See Outside?, Will You Be My Friend?
Buy all 4 and save!
Want it all? Save $30 and get FREE SHIPPING!
Discount applied at time of purchase. No coupon code needed.
Mar
15
2012
Myth: Signing is expensive and time-consuming
Excerpt from SuperBaby: 12 Ways to Give Your Child a Head Start in the First 3 Years
Signing does not take a lot of time or cost a bundle. The amount of time you devote to signing and the degree to which you integrate it into your family’s life is completely up to you. Granted, the more you do, the more likely you are to see results. I have seen families who use only three signs benefit from the experience. As far as the financial commitment goes, it can be as little as the cost of one paperback book. Compiling a signing library, using DVDs, or taking a class can be a lot of fun and will enhance your signing vocabulary, but they are not mandatory, especially when there are so many helpful resources online. – Dr. Jenn
Truth: Signing doesn’t take a lot of time or money!
Get SuperBaby now in the Baby Sign Language Starter Kit