Kapiolani Community College
ABSTRACT
This paper will go in detail as to how beneficial it is to teach children sign language at an early age as opposed to not teaching sign language at all to younger children. This paper will also discuss the facts as when, how and why baby sign language should be taught and used. Also this paper will discuss how the teaching of sign language to young children as early as six months of age can improve their communication with their parents and other caregivers as well as helps them develop at a quicker rate than children who hasn’t been taught sign language.
For years some parents and teachers have the misconception about teaching sign language to young children even as early as three months of age. Researches for several years have sought out to prove whether the theory of teaching children sign language at an early age helps or decrease their development rate. In the past few years researchers has confirmed that children who had learned sign language actually showed a faster development rate than children who did not sign. Researchers went on to prove in a study recently done those children who had learned sign at an early age scored at least eight to thirteen points higher on IQ tests by the age of eight than children who didn’t learn sign language.
Needless to say, there is definitely power in sign language and teaching sign to children who are young, sign language not only assist in helping children communicate at a very young age, nevertheless sign language assisted them develop and advance above their age level earlier than non-believers consider. (Glairon, Susan, 2003). Signing has been taught in various areas nationwide by some teachers as early as six months of age. Of course you wouldn’t begin teaching a child six months of age words they aren’t able to comprehend at this age; you would start by teaching small words to begin the development of their library. Smaller words such as words dealing with their feeling at this age, “joyful, unhappy/happy, and irritated” are all words an infant six months of age can relate too.
The vocabulary of the children has been initiated at this point by the child with three simple words imagine having a child who can communicate in a different language by the age of six months. By the time the child has reached eighteen months of age the child could have at least learned six or more words added to their vocabulary, other words could consist of, eating, drinking, and please.”
These are American signing words, which studies have shown signing is more prominent in America according to several studies, other countries have their own signing words they would apply to the children of their age group. Children learning sign in other countries also help them develop their speech in their own native language at an earlier and at a faster rate than other children of their age group. Most definitely teaching young children sign in their region or cultural area in which will be their upbringing is essential also to the child’s growth and development. For instance, you wouldn’t begin teaching a child who will be raised in Australia, American sign, or a child that will be raised in Britain, and so forth with other countries American sign. There are definitely different signs for different languages, you wouldn’t want to confuse a child at all at this point of your decision to begin teaching sign, signing will be new already to them so you for sure wouldn’t want to confuse a child in any other area in their development. Also available is signing for special needs children which is a much simpler version and can be easily taught outside of the classroom if needed.
There are many benefits to one teaching their younger child sign language. “Benefits of sign language in an infant’s development include providing a foundation on which to learn written English and build speech, reducing frustration and building self-esteem and confidence,
opening up receptive and expressive interactive communication prior to speech development, and developing cognitive abilities earlier,” says Tami Hossler, MA Ed., editor of The Endeavor Magazine for the American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC).
A pioneer in the field of children and their development Joseph Garcia, has learned in his many findings that children six months of age that were exposed to signing on a regular routine basis began communication in a more expressive manner by the time they were eight or nine months of age. One of the most important things to consider when teaching a child signing is to be constant and stay on a routine, which could lead to be reasoning as to the decrease in learning with the child, some parents are looking for instant results in their child’s development with signing. But, parents/teachers need to be patient with the child and uphold their end of being consistent on teaching the child.
In another study researchers found that no indication of signing eliminates a child’s incentive to speak or delays with learning to speak, and sign language learned after speech will not affect how often a child uses their voice.
If a parent is serious about teaching their younger child or children sign, experts have some suggestions to consider:
- Only use American Sign Language or the language in the child’s cultural or regions of up bring.
- Begin teaching the child at a young age, as early as six months of age.
- Start with a smaller group of words, suggested 3 and then gradually increase in groups of two or three depending upon the learning rate as well as the receptiveness of the child with the introductory 3 words.
- It is essential to start with words that are related to what is going on with the child, for instance, if a child spends a lot of time throwing temper tantrums you would want to start with words regarding their emotions, so that even at an early age it helps them to communicate their emotions in a positive manner. It will also help parents not to be easily frustrated. The same goes for a child who eats a lot of time, you would want to begin with words that relate to eating, because babies are able to understand objects as opposed to only words.
- Last but definitely not least and should be considered as part of the parents/caretakers routine as well is to be constant in your teaching of signing.
These of course are suggestions only the teacher of the signing can adapt to their learning as to how they want to go about teaching sign, for example a parent who hasn’t learned sign fluently wouldn’t automatically start teaching their child words they are not comfortable with signing themselves. There are so many factors that need to be considered when teaching sign to young children which is why there are many resources available via internet, hardback or softback books, apps for mobile phones and ipads are available also. For example, if a parent is on the go all the time between working, being a housewife, attending to their other children if this applies, commuting to social events, then have an app on their mobile phones would be a great way to begin gaining knowledge for themselves, before teaching their younger child.
With this method of signing the children will adapt easily and signing will become as easily as a second language to them, they will automatically sign when communicating after being on a consistent routine. (Learn American Sign Language Easily). Signing is as with anything else you teach your child consistency is the key.
When considering the age of child when they first begin to use speech it is far later in time than a child who has learned sign can and will begin speech. One thing to keep in mind is children develop receptive speech before they develop their expressive speech. With that being said, the old saying “whatever you say will go into your child’s vocabulary.” Considering this information from various studies a parent should openly consider teaching their young children speech due to the fact that when a young child is learning sign he is receptive to what is being taught and begin to emulate the signs taught, therefore a child that has begun signing are expressing themselves while being receptive at the same time.
In other words a child that doesn’t sign and begins using speech alone are being receptive (learning what you are teaching him) and then the expressive (how the child communicates with you) language develops later. This point alone proves how beneficial it is to teaching signing to younger children. Another benefit of teaching your child sign language is children express with their hands from the moment they are born. (Benefits of ASL signing with your baby). For example, children will put their hands in their mouths, children will wave their hands in front of them, children will grab their feet, and so forth, taking all of this in consideration a parent should decide to teach their children sign and use their hands to express themselves more positively.
Another advantage of a child having sign as a second language they are able to communicate with people who are deaf or hard of hearing, which will show even more development and growth for a child to have learned sign. Signing also provides social development and has proven means of nurturing understanding among individuals that are deaf.
There has long been a misconception about signing and that is signing is “only for the hearing impaired,” this statement has been proven wrong on numerous occasions by researchers and studies conducted. The more communication a parent has with their child from an early age will improve family/household life as well. Studies have shown young parents or parents who have young children that are ages two or less will frustrate their parents more often with crying, throwing temper tantrums and so forth, with the parent being unable to communicate with the child and know exactly what they are feeling. As opposed a child who has learned sign is able to communicate their feelings using sign and the parents are able to know what the reason is as to the child’s frustration also. As evidenced signing has a positive benefit on all levels of improvement for both the child and the parent.
In concluding, studies and researchers have found more positive than negative things about signing in reference to teaching a young child how to sign. In today’s society, children need to be equipped with as much knowledge as possible as well as be prepared to advance above and beyond their age level. Signing has proven to not only advance a child in their development and growth rate, but to also advance a child educationally and socially as early as eight years of age. Children communicate non-verbally much earlier than they begin to communicate verbally. Keeping this is mind parents should not have any second thoughts as to “if” they should or should not teach their young children sign language. The fact of knowing a child who signs IQ score is higher than children who do not sign proves to be a significant contributing factor as to the decision maker for parents.
References
Benefits of ASL signing with your baby. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://sign2me.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15&Itemid=31
Benefits of signing with your child. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.signingtime.com/faqs/benefits-of-signing
Dean, W. (n.d.). Learn American sign language easily. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles.com/?Sign-Language---Learn-American-Sign-Language-Easily&id=1294926
Glairon, Susan. First Words: Sign Language Lets Babies 'Speak' Their Minds. The Boulder Daily Camera. Boulder, CO: 2003.
Hossler, T., (2010). The Endeavor Magazine for the American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC).
