If you are here on our website you are probably one of many parents, caregivers and educators aiming to learn and implement a baby sign language program for your child or children. You have probably already started and have spotted several friends and acquaintances at the playground or at church signing with their pre-verbal hearing babies.
On a daily basis we get a significant number of questions on our baby sign language Facebook many questions are straight forward and aimed at learning teaching methodology, figuring out what is the best timing and format and finding a supportive community. A few questions however are full of doubt and concern often rooted in misinformation and myths about early language development. Each time these questions arise we take the time to personally address each one knowing that each baby is unique and uniquely important.
Because we know you want the best for your child and you want to give them early communication tools to reduce frustration and increase bonding we want to share with you the most common myths you will face as an advocate of this communication system to appease your personal concerns and equip you with the right responses to advocate with family members, educators and friends that may not have a misconstrued understanding of this method of communication.
Myth #1:
Sign Language For Babies Delays Speech
Gesticulation is a natural and complimentary action to speech. Research has demonstrated that Baby Sign Language in fact accelerates the acquisition of oral skills. Babies exposed to sign language will often speak earlier than babies that have not received this type of learning stimulation.
Myth #2
Signing With your Baby is an Illusion of Well-Wishing Parents
Baby sign language often encounters a great deal of incredulity and disbelief. After all it is pretty special and almost miraculous to see a six-month-old baby express a need, want or feeling. However it is proven. Babies sign contextually and communicate pleasure and satisfaction once their need is met.
Myth #3
Baby Sign Language is Fad
The history of baby sign language is almost 100 years old. It has been proven, studied and applied in many cultural contexts always with very positive results in terms of accelerated communication and increased cognitive abilities. Gestural communication is inherent to human behavior. BSL is just a way to optimize its application to enhance the quality of life of infants and parents.
Myth #4
Baby Sign Language is not endorsed by Educational Institutions
More & more, early child development centers, Montessori schools and private caregivers are incorporating BSL to their chore curriculum. A high percentage of university-sponsored daycare centers have been using BSL with infants and toddlers since the 90’s. Most educators with a background in language acquisition consider BSL essential when it comes to early childhood education.
Myth #5
Teaching BSL Takes Too Much Time & Effort
Babies are little sponges. If used contextually and consistently baby sign language will require little effort and will yield quick results. Six to nine old-month babies often learn a sign within two weeks of introduction.
We know these questions will come up again and again as we raise new generations of babies. Please feel free to share this link in your blog, website and with friends and family via email and let them know we are here to provide support, guidance and clarification in all matters related to baby sign language
