Literacy news

Top Tips to start baby signing

28 Aug 2003

Begin with simple word signs such as eat, drink and hot when a baby is aged six to nine months
Follow the baby's lead and from nine months onwards, observe what interests the child and introduce signs that will mirror this
Always say the word when you sign, never sign in silence
Speak slowly and clearly but in a natural way
Keep it simple, using just one sign per sentence
Be consistent in the signs you use but happily accept any signing attempts from the young child
Do not get babies to 'perform' signs on demand
Be patient and relaxed about baby signing, using lots of praise

(Taken from an article in Nursery World, 28 August 2003, by June Rozanski)