Guest Post - Baby Sign Language

10 Tips To Get Started With Baby Sign Language 

Baby Sign Language  is so much fun, it’s completely free – and it works! It’s also real easy to get started. The sooner you start signing to your baby, the sooner he will begin to communicate back to you. You can start at any time, even from birth. Read on for the top ten tips to get started with baby sign language...

1. Start off with signs that are interesting to babies. Words that represent food, drink, or people, such as Mommy and Daddy, are great starter signs. 
2. Repetition. Make the sign every time you say the relevant word to your baby. It’s important to say the word that goes with the sign clearly, with good eye contact, while pointing to the thing or person you are describing. 
3. Be alert. At first, sign when baby is alert and not fussing. He won’t enjoy it if he’s tired – and neither will you. 
4. Practice the signs beforehand so you feel confident and clear about what you are doing. Get flash cards or a handy wall-chart so you know how to make the signs correctly. 
5. Repetition is the key to baby sign language. Be sure to make the sign and say the word every time you do an action or use an object. Your baby will learn the signs through repetition (and so will you), and it will be natural for him to eventually sign back. 
6. Be Patient. Don’t expect too much too soon. Your baby is unlikely to be signing for his milk if he is only 4 months old and you’ve been signing to him for just a week! A typical baby who starts learning signs at seven months old needs about two months of repetition and exposure to a sign to start using it.
7. Remember - signing to your baby helps with bonding. Baby signing is a two-way activity, encouraging communication from baby to parent and back again. Mothers who sign with their babies often feel closer to them, noticing and appreciating their efforts at communication earlier than non-signing moms.
8. Dads can do it too. Often dads feel left out when bringing up a young baby, especially if Mom is breastfeeding. Signing is something baby and daddy can do together, creating a special bond.
9. Have fun. So much of parenting these days is just plain hard work. Baby signing is fun – and that’s one of the reasons it works so well. At first your baby will just look at you making signs and may even smile or laugh. You may feel silly too. This is good for you and for baby. Have lots of fun.
10. Don’t take it too seriously. If it’s not working for you, try something else. Or come back to it in a few months. It’s never too late to take up signing with your baby or toddler. But if it’s not for you, don’t stress it. 

For more information on how you can get started with Baby Sign Language  visit the site. There are a ton of FREE resources to get you and your baby signing in no time.