How many times have you seen a pre-verbal child try to communicate? For the numerous years that I worked with babies and toddlers their communicating stage was a constant fascination. As a teacher of children under three years, I often interacted with children, at this stage, who would persist with non-verbal action cues, until I understood exactly what they were trying to tell me.

I have been literally lead around by the hand all over the room or the play yard. In my younger days I took the spiritual approach to the challenge- tuning in my sixth sense to the baby and toddler mind and using my instincts to tune into non-verbal communication. As a more mature adult, I realize that my “sixth sense” tuning fork may have empowered me, but not necessarily the child.

It is only recently that I have learned about the concept of teaching pre-verbal babies and toddlers sign language! What perfect logic, teaching American sign language to children that often use their hands to gesture in an attempt to communicate with less intelligent adults. At the toddler stage children have far more to say then there physical verbal mechanism allow- they are a whole year old, after all.

Toddlers have had numerous months of observing older children and adults communicate through speech and verbal annunciation. They have observed the world around them, vibrant colors and shapes all new and stimulating. They have witnessed the actions of others and their interactions with others. Most of all they have experienced their own drastic changes and relation to the world.

Can you imagine transitioning from flat on your back to quadruped mobility to biped mobility all in under two years. It is only natural that they would have many things to say! Naturally, for a number of reasons, pre-verbal children eagerly take to sign language.

I have discovered the delightful “Baby Signs” a DVD and board book set that teaches pre-verbal children sign language available at my website, work wonders. My friend has been babysitting another friend’s toddler and the transition has been difficult for him. What’s more the other boys in the babysitting co-op are older and have developed speech and annunciation.

In the middle of an afternoon of tears, my friend put the DVD on for the babysitting co-op toddler and he really took to it. He mimicked the signs, a predominate way toddlers learn, and began to use them. He stopped crying and became interested and focused on learning the baby signs.

It is also really for older siblings and friends to learn. Naturally, they can help facilitate the process for the little ones, while at the same time having fun and learning the signs themselves. What a wonderful family experience! It shows that a child can begin to learn the language of signing and continue to develop this skill for years to come.

Best of all the pre-verbal child(ren) are empowered and have their own special way to communicate. It is a wonderful way to transition to the spoken word and it reinforces learning to speak.

About the Author
Candice Silsby has an extensive background in Early Childhood Education and Human Dev elopement. She have six years experience working with young children as a pre-school teacher and caregiver for children under 3. She worked with special ed children for two years. She has eight years experience as a child entertainer and currently has her own business doing puppet shows for children. She is a Discovery Toys Educational Consultant because the toys are educational and developmentally appropriate. These toys meet the high scrutiny of her Developmental Education background. Discovery Toys improve the quality of life for children and families therefore the world.

1. Stay simple and start slowly.
When you introduce signing to your baby, gradually introduce the signs one at a time. It is recommended to begin with approximately five words and once your baby has begun to respond to those words, you can introduce more. Sign language can be a slow process depending on the age of your baby when you begin. A six-month-old who is introduced to signing may begin signing back to you anywhere from one month to six months later; it simply depends on each individual child.

2. Be patient.
Every parent has the ability to teach his or her baby sign language. A major downfall for some parents is their lack of patience. Signing is not something that will happen overnight, it is a relatively slow process depending on each individual baby. Do not be discouraged. Your baby is learning from you and will, when the time is right, let you know that they understand through signing. This learning process introduces invaluable interaction with your baby. Do not give up whatever you do. Be patient and reap the rewards of sign language.

3. Be consistent.
Once you have decided on your initial five words, be consistent in using them with your baby. For example, if you are using the sign ‘milk’ with your baby and introduce this sign when you are feeding your baby, be sure to continue to use it every time you feed your baby. If you only use this sign now and again, your baby is less likely to understand that this sign represents ‘milk’. They may think it is simply a game you are playing with them. The key here is to incorporate sign into your everyday life. Each time you use the word ‘milk’, develop an automatic reaction to sign and say the word out loud. Repetition is the key to success.

4. Sign on your baby’s level.
When you interact with your baby, it is important that you are on their level. Keep your facial expressions and signs within their field of vision. This ensures that your baby is seeing the correct way to sign the word. By signing at an angle to your baby, your baby’s view of your sign may be totally different to the one that you are attempting to create.

5. Use baby sign language in context.
When teaching baby sign language, it is important to relate the word to the current situation or feeling of the moment. There is no point in attempting to introduce your baby to a sign when that particular sign represents something that has happened in the past. For example, if you go for a walk with your baby and see a dog on your walk, there is no point on the following day, in signing the word ‘dog’ and saying “Remember the dog we saw yesterday in the park.” Australian Baby Hands recommends finding as many situations as possible, in the present time, to use the sign that you are attempting to teach. For instance, use the sign for ‘dog’ as you read a story about a dog, watch a dog on television or point at your family pet.

6. Always use the sign and the spoken word together.
Ensure that each time you sign a word; you accompany it with the spoken word. This enables your child to make the connection between the two more quickly.

7. Use motivating signs.
It is important when choosing your initial words that you use a combination of ‘practical’ words and ‘motivating’ words.

‘Practical’ words highlight words that will make you and your baby’s life easier once sign language is in use in your home. These words are more general words and include words such as eat, drink, change, pain, sleep etc.

It is important to balance these words with words that are motivating or interesting to your baby. ‘Motivating’ words may include words such as teddy bear, ball, play etc. These are specific things that your baby may have shown an interest in.

8. Teach family members and caregivers.
It is important to introduce the signs you are using with your baby to people who are in contact with your baby on a regular basis. This will ensure consistency. The more your baby sees the signs, the sooner your baby will begin to sign back. Childcare facilities are slowly beginning to introduce signing to their day care so be sure to continually update them on what signs you are using with your baby.

9. Use an appropriate facial expression with a sign.
This is especially important when teaching feelings or sensations to your child. Sign language is a very visual language and members of the deaf community use their face as part of the signing process. When expressing a feeling, allow your face to vividly illustrate the feeling. A feeling of happiness can be illustrated with a big smiling face while signing and saying the word. A feeling of fear can be illustrated with frowning eyebrows or a startled look. Some words do not require or do not have an obvious facial expression. To animate your face is initially a little strange for beginners to sign language. To practice, stand in front of a mirror and see if you would know from your facial expression what word you are trying to sign. Remember you are better to over-express than under-express your signs with your face.

10. Encourage your baby’s attempts.
When your baby begins to sign, they probably will not initially get the sign 100% correct. It is important though to praise them for their efforts and repeat the sign correctly back to them. When the child is showing you that they need something, give it to them, even if the sign is only approximately correct. They will begin to realise that it works!

11. Have fun!
Sign language is a beautiful visual language and not one to get stressed about. If you are stressed when signing, your baby will pick up on this. Signing should be fun for you and your baby. It should not feel like a chore but be a part of your everyday life. Relax, have fun and enjoy the benefits that this wonderful language can bring to you and your baby.

About the Author:
Jackie Durnin is the Author of “Australian Baby Hands”, the first book to use Auslan, Australian Sign Language to communicate with your baby. Australian Baby Hands is currently being implemented by parents and Childcare centres around NAustralia. For more details go to http://www.australianbabyhands.com where you can register for your “FREE” alphabet chart. For further information info@australianbabyhands.