What's the Importance of Helping Your Baby Learn Sign Language?

Common signs like sleep, eat, play, milk, more, et. are known as baby signs. Many people get mixed up between Baby Signs and American Sign Language; they're not considered the same. Baby Sign is taught by hearing parents, and they don't have connection with the Deaf community, do not know Deaf culture, and aren't fluent in American Sign Language.

There are 2 methods parents or guardians could become qualified in teaching Baby Sign: 

1) Taking a day course 

2) Buying a “teaching kit. 

So why help baby learn sign language?

1. Learning Sign Language as Babies is really a Positive Addition

When babies learn Baby Sign, this might lead to wanting to learn American Sign Language when babies get older. Aside from English and a second language that the family speaks, they'd learn American Sign Language as a 3rd language, which can enhance their resumes. In fact, they can get involved with the Deaf community and have the ability to speak with Deaf people. They can even get a career in signing and communicating with Deaf people. Babies who learn a different language have higher IQs. 

2. Being Taught Sign Language as Babies Creates Open Mindedness

The Deaf community’s primary language is American Sign Language. Once the kids become adults, and they wish to continue to learn American Sign Language, they'll additionally find out more about the Deaf community as well as culture. This is a plus for the Deaf community considering the fact that when hearing people learn American Sign Language, they're already breaking down the communication barrier and becoming more aware of the Deaf community and culture. Children will most likely stumble upon D/deaf people in the future, and when the hearing kids understand basic signs, it can strengthen their relationships with D/deaf people. D/deaf people frequently find it hard to make friends and fit in at their schools, so the more hearing individuals know sign language, the more inclusive for D/deaf people. 

[Photo Credits: © 2012 Regents of the University of Michigan, courtesy Dr. Michael Fetters CC BY-SA]


If you are looking to get started, and if you are interested in learning more, you can learn sign language with Start ASL.




 




 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

A Little Girl Decided to Learn Sign Language to Give a Touching Message to Her Deaf Delivery Man

Rihanna's Sign Language Interpreter Justina Went Viral

American Sign Language Name Sign for Vice President Kamala Harris