Benefits of Signing with Babies and Children with Special Needs
Benefits of Signing with Babies and Children with Special Needs
Many students are interested in how babies (hearing and deaf) learn to sign. Some students have seen sign language used with children with autism, Down syndrome, or speech delays. Some students want to use signs in their own classrooms to make learning accessible to all and foster friendships among children. Here are some of the proven benefits to signing with babies and children.
1. Enhanced Communication
- For Deaf and Hearing Babies: Sign language allows babies to express their needs and thoughts before they develop verbal skills, reducing frustration for both the child and caregivers. This early communication can lead to a stronger bond between parent and child.
- For Children with Special Needs: For children who may struggle with verbal communication, such as those with speech delays, autism, or Down syndrome, signing offers an accessible and effective way to express themselves. It can serve as a bridge to verbal communication or as a primary mode of expression.
2. Cognitive Development
- For All Babies: Research shows that babies who learn sign language often develop better language skills, enhanced memory, and higher IQs as they grow. The use of signs engages multiple areas of the brain, stimulating cognitive growth and development.
- For Children with Special Needs: Signing can help these children build cognitive connections that might be challenging to develop through speech alone. It can support the development of other cognitive skills, such as problem-solving and spatial reasoning.
3. Emotional Benefits:
- For Deaf and Hearing Babies: Being able to communicate their needs reduces the frustration that often leads to tantrums, promoting emotional well-being. Additionally, the shared experience of signing can strengthen the emotional bond between the child and their caregivers.
- For Children with Special Needs: Signing offers these children a way to express their feelings, which is crucial for emotional regulation and self-esteem. It empowers them to be active participants in their environment, fostering a sense of independence and confidence.
4. Social Interaction:
- For Deaf and Hearing Babies: Babies who sign often engage more with others because they can communicate their thoughts and desires more effectively. This can lead to earlier and more meaningful social interactions with peers and adults.
- For Children with Special Needs: Sign language can enhance socialization by providing a consistent and reliable way to interact with others. This can be particularly beneficial in group settings like schools, where communication is key to forming friendships and participating in activities.
5. Inclusion and Accessibility:
- For All Children: Introducing sign language at an early age promotes inclusivity and awareness, helping hearing children understand and communicate with their Deaf peers. It fosters an environment where differences are respected and accommodated.
- For Children with Special Needs: Signing provides an accessible communication method tailored to each child’s unique needs, ensuring they are not left out of conversations and activities due to communication barriers.
6. Language Development:
- For Deaf and Hearing Babies: Signing supports and complements spoken language development. Babies who sign typically transition to spoken language with ease, often with a more extensive vocabulary.
- For Children with Special Needs: For children who may never develop spoken language, sign language offers a full and rich way to communicate. For others, it can serve as a stepping stone to verbal communication, providing the foundation for language skills.
By incorporating sign language into your child's life, you’re not just teaching them a mode of communication; you’re giving them a tool that supports their overall development, enhances their ability to connect with others, and fosters a more inclusive and understanding world.
More Info Coming Your Way!
As you progress through each module, more lessons will be made available.
They will include:
- Videos
- PDFs
- Powerpoints
- Links to Deaf role models and influencers
- Games
- Prompts to practice your new skills using vocabulary and concepts from each lesson