| From all the studies conducted in this field the benefits | | | | pay greater attention to what is being taught when it is |
| of introducing your baby to sign language are vast. | | | | involved. It has also been shown that when children |
| Baby sign language; | | | | learn a word in conjunction with the sign, they are |
| · Can empower your baby to communicate | | | | more likely to remember the meaning of the word. |
| with those around them before they are able to speak. | | | | · Can accelerate the speech process. |
| This means that your baby may be able to | | | | Research has shown that children who use sign |
| communicate what they want when they want it. It | | | | language may acquire spoken language faster than |
| may also enable them to initiate a conversation about | | | | non-signing children. |
| topics that interest them. Furthermore it bridges the | | | | · Can enhance a baby's confidence, |
| gap between no language and spoken language. | | | | self-esteem and self-expression. |
| · Can reduce frustration for both you and your | | | | Due to a baby's ability to communicate their needs, |
| baby. | | | | wants and interests through signing, a baby may |
| Sign language may allow your baby to tell you what | | | | become more confident. |
| they want, what's wrong or what hurts. Therefore | | | | · Baby sign language can stimulate brain |
| your baby may experience less frustration, tantrums | | | | development and potentially increase your baby's I.Q. |
| and crying. If your baby is able to communicate their | | | | Teaching sign language can stimulate your baby's brain |
| basic needs to you, it means you do not have to try | | | | development. Research has illustrated that signing |
| and interpret their cries. Sign language can help reduce | | | | babies achieve higher scores on future I.Q. tests (up to |
| those tear-filled frustrated moments. | | | | 12 I.Q. points higher) than children who learn to speak in |
| · Can enrich the parent-child relationship. | | | | the traditional manner. |
| By introducing baby sign language into your home, you | | | | Signing can stimulate brain development as when |
| are enhancing the bond with your baby. The nature of | | | | learning sign language you use both the right and left |
| Baby sign communication leads you and your baby | | | | hemisphere of the brain compared to learning a |
| towards responding to each other in turn and this is a | | | | spoken language, which only uses the brain's left |
| really valuable skill. Signing involves daily interactions | | | | hemisphere. This use of both hemispheres results in |
| with your baby that will eventually lead to a two-way | | | | the brain building more synapses. |
| conversation. | | | | · Children who keep up sign language are |
| · Can provide an insight into your baby's mind | | | | effectively bilingual. |
| and who they really are. | | | | By introducing your baby to signs from Australian Baby |
| Baby sign language allows your baby to initiate a | | | | Hands, you are introducing your baby to a second |
| conversation with you about what they are interested | | | | language. Brain research suggests that language skills |
| in. It allows you to see what they are thinking, what | | | | are acquired best in the first years of a baby's life. |
| they are interested in and what the world looks like | | | | Also, by introducing Auslan to your baby and continuing |
| from their view. All this before your baby can talk! | | | | to use this wonderful language after they can speak, |
| · Can stimulate intellectual development and | | | | you are giving your child the gift to communicate with |
| improve memory. | | | | the Australian deaf and hard of hearing community in |
| Children are fascinated with sign language and often | | | | sign language. |