Read on to see more ways to teach your baby to sign.

9.    Be flexible and patient.
With baby signs, unlike a formal sign language, like the Filipino or American Sign Language (FSL or ASL respectively), there are no rights and wrongs. You can use whatever makes sense and is helpful to both you and your baby. You can even make up your own signs! What is important is that Baby will be able to imitate your motions easily.  Being flexible means knowing how to pay attention to physical behaviours Baby can already do, and taking advantage of these for creating new signs. If there is a certain sign in the ASL that is difficult for your baby to imitate, feel free to modify it to make it easier for him.

Patience is also a helpful characteristic not only in most aspects of parenting, but also when it comes to using baby signs. Remember that your baby may not be able to sign back as quickly as you’d like him to. According to Acredolo and Goodwyn, it can often take a month or longer before your baby will start signing. In this case, be patient, as once Baby begins to use signs, you will realize that it was worth the wait.


10.    Make learning fun.
Children learn through play and interaction with their loved ones. That is why I usually say that homeschooling already happens right after Baby is born – when mother puts the child at her breast and guides him on how to latch on, learning is already taking place! When we respond to Baby’s cries and pick her up to soothe her, change her or feed her, we are teaching her the basics of love. Thus, learning is a natural part of everyday life. When it comes to teaching your child baby signs, make sure that you make it fun for him. Use lots of praise, encouragement and enthusiasm. Take note of and reward their early efforts, and do your best not to show signs of displeasure or disappointment when they fail to meet your expectations. The more enthusiastic you are about using baby signs, the more enthusiastic a learner your baby will be.

Remember, moms and dads, your baby will learn the most when he or she is surrounded by happy, loving and caring people who are willing to make time for him or her. So, make the most of your daily time with your kids and try to include baby signs in your family’s life. You won’t regret it! Happy signing everyone!

For more information on baby signs, or to get a list of baby sign language classes in the Philippines, you may contact the author at teachermamatina@gmail.com. Or get your own Baby Signs starter kit here.

Main photo from flickr.com