'The benefit I wasn’t expecting was a special bond that forms in the moments where he translates the world for me.'
We all sometimes stare at our bawling baby and wish they could just tell us what they need… but what if that was actually possible?
Now at 16 months old Rupert has around sixty signs. There are some words he signs only, some words he vocalises only , and some words he both signs and speaks. There are also other words for which he hasn’t grasped or doesn’t know the sign but will instead reach for the prominent sound such as signing ‘B’ for ‘biscuit’. He has been able to string signed words together for quite a few months.
But the benefit I wasn’t expecting was a special bond that forms in the moments where he translates the world for me. I haven’t yet explained to him that I’m deaf, I haven’t sat down and shown him my hearing aids, I haven’t explicitly told him I can’t hear… yet whenever there is a loud noise, he taps my arm, gets my attention and signs ‘hear’ if he doesn’t know what it is, ‘bark’ for a dog or ‘car’ if it’s an engine.
Sign language is also really wonderful for children whose brains are already wired a little differently and are visual rather than verbal communicators. Not only deaf children but, speech disorders and other forms of cognitive difference. You won’t know if your infant is included in this group when you start signing to them as an infant but how wonderful that you’re already giving them a tool that can help.
It’s commonly said that teaching your child ‘Baby Sign’ cuts down on frustration as they are able to communicate earlier and whilst it is true that your baby being able to ask for what they need definitely cuts down on the crying and makes for a more harmonious home, it definitely isn’t a magic trick to no more tears! You do need to be sharp sometimes in trying to decipher your baby’s signs , bear in mind that they have tiny hands and fingers that aren’t yet as dexterous as ours and that they...
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