Today I’m talking about the REAL reasons I’m so passionate about signing with babies. If you’d like to learn more about baby sign language, make sure you are signed up for my free week-long e-course starting October 1st. You can register HERE.
There are so many wonderful things about using sign language with babies – in fact, you’ve probably heard of a few of them. But in case you haven’t, here’s a quick recap of the extensive research that’s been done on this topic…
Benefits of signing with babies:
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Reduced frustration
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Improved communication
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Enhanced self-esteem
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Expanded spoken vocabulary
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Increased interest in books
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Higher IQ
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shall I go on??
And hey, that’s all great. I mean, who DOESN’T want a smart, content baby, right?
But let’s get real for a second…
Because if we always did the things that researchers told us to do, well, let’s just say I wouldn’t have eaten 3 [Update: 4] blueberry mini-muffins today.
Research is great for helping us know if something is a good idea or a bad one, but at the end of the day, most of us can’t stay motivated to do something simply because it’s “good for us.”
So what motivated me to stick with signing with my first baby, and ultimately become the baby sign language zealot I am today?
Here are my personal TWO favorite things about signing with babies…
1. Babies are smart. As we say here in Boston…wicked smaht…
Most people grossly underestimate what babies understand. And it is SO FUN to see things through their eyes and realize just how much they do grasp about the world around them. Signing gives you the tool to peek inside and actually SEE what your baby is thinking. It truly is amazing.
2. Parenting is hard. Like, really hard…
Unless you lucked out with a dream baby, most new parents would agree that taking care of an infant is a lot of work. Baby sign language makes a tough job so much easier! When your baby can let you know he’s hungry or tired, or wants water, not milk – well, all I can say is hallelujah and amen to that.
So yeah, I might have started signing for all those good-for-baby reasons in the first place, but the reason I stuck with it is because it made my life as a mom more fun, interesting and easy. And who doesn’t want that!?