4 Benefits of Using Sign Language With Your Toddler
The term “baby sign language” is very misleading as it gives the assumption that it is solely for babies. However that is not the case! Sign language benefits individuals of all ages (like the entire Deaf community), including toddlers. Not only does this age group experience many frustrations about wanting their opinions heard, but many times their words sound extremely similar.
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Common objections & myths
There is no need to use sign language once a toddler can talk. Sign language can actually allow your toddler to communicate MORE than the words they can say verbally. (more on this below!)
Sign language will delay my toddler’s speech development. It’s quite the opposite! See what the research says in this post.
My toddler’s speech isn’t delayed, so we don’t need to use sign language. Regardless if your child has any delays, sign language can allow your toddler to communicate more effectively, leading to less frustrations and more confidence.
Want to use sign language with your little one?
Toddler Consultation - Sign Language Strategy & Support: Communication with a toddler can be HARD. They have so much they want to communicate, yet their speech and language skills aren't quite there yet. Everyone is getting more and more frustrated, and life would be so much easier if communication could be unlocked. In a highly-individualized strategy session, we will work together to pinpoint what your toddler needs to communicate and create personalized resources so you can have more confidence, calm, and effective communication with your toddler. Learn more and book your call with me here!
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What are the benefits to using sign language with a toddler?
This goes BEYOND their initial need to communicate before spoken language takes off. Here's a few reasons why toddlers benefit from sign language:
⭐️sign language uses multi-sensory learning (visual, tactile, kinesthetic, etc)
⭐️sign language can EXTEND your toddler's spoken language skills, helping fill in the gaps (especially when they're intelligible)
⭐️toddlers are right-brain dominant, meaning nonverbal language is more effective to lessen frustrations & reduce tantrums
⭐️ASL is the native language of the Deaf, and your child can become bilingual or multilingual!
How can toddlers use sign language?
Toddlers who use sign language to communicate can learn new signs within minutes or a few days. How are they so quick to learn? Pairing a toddler’s highest motivators with their communication abilities is the key.
Your toddler may use sign language in order to:
⚡️ clarify between spoken words that may sound the same
⚡️ replace frustrations with effective communication
⚡️ feel excited or confident that their need is understood more quickly
⚡️support their spoken language development
Which signs should you use with your toddler?
When using sign language with your toddler, it is important to combine both functional vocabulary and high-interest vocabulary.
Functional vocabulary can be used across many settings, contexts, and experiences (read more about them here). For a toddler, these may be signs such as HELP, OPEN, or MORE.
High-interest vocabulary is very specific to the individual child. What objects, foods, activities, or experiences do they love or are motivated by the most? Perhaps it is balls, vehicles, or specific foods.
Combining both functional and high-interest vocabulary allows your toddler to effectively communicate about the world around them, their immediate needs, and things that bring them the greatest joy!
