Baby Sign Language Workshop Saturday, June 22nd, 2002

On Saturday, June 22, a group of savvy parents and their soon-to-be savvy babies gathered in a room of the Parish Center to learn about one of the newest movements in the area of infant education.

Denise Meyer presented an Infant Sign Language Workshop using American Sign Language (ASL) - and not one of the children was hearing impaired. The obvious question is; why would anyone teach a baby to sign when they have no impairment? The answer is simple. ASL helps to reduce the frustration felt by both parent and child trying to communicate with each other during the first few years. Scientific research now tells us that babies can understand and express more than previously thought when they know some of the basic signs. Babies have control over their hands long before they are able to talk, so ASL is quickly becoming a way to communicate with a baby as early as 9 months old.

This was the fourth workshop Denise has presented at St. Joan of Arc and each has been well attended by parents, grandparents, and babies. Denise is an animated and energetic instructor. She told the class at the outset that over the course of the two-hour workshop they would learn the entire American Manual Alphabet and an additional 65 word signs. It seemed daunting, particularly with five babies under the age of a year and a 2 year old in attendance. There was certainly more commotion than most of the meetings in the parish center, but Denise is herself a mother and hardly missed a beat when a couple of babies crawled precariously close to her feet. The consummate parenting professional!

Although the Infant Sign Language Workshop is based on ASL the goal is not to teach it as a formal language with all it’s complexities, but rather to give the child enough signs that he/she can quickly and easily communicate his/her needs. Denise suggested using signs very early, even before the six or seven month age when the baby might actually remember them. Beginning early gives the child exposure to the technique and is good practice for the parents and caregivers. It is presented informally with the parent signing and saying the word at the same time. With consistent use it is possible that by eight or nine months the baby may be able to start signing back.

There may be additional benefits to using ASL with babies and toddlers. Many parents and teachers observe that babies who sign often begin speaking earlier. As they are able to say a word, the sign generally falls away. But Denise suggested that later the signs might come in handy for “subtle” communication regarding bathroom needs and behavior correction. She also told the group that children who sign seem to learn other languages easier, partially because the signs can be a bridge between their current and new language. Some studies even indicate that babies who communicate with signs may have higher verbal, reading and writing skills later in childhood than non-signing children. However Denise cautioned the group not to use the technique as a competitive tool in an effort to make children smarter than others.

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Sue Obrien is the wife of Tom, mother of four children, and grandmother of six. She is dental hygienist and manages a dental practice in Spring Lake Park. A parishioner for many years, Sue worked as a caregiver at Grace House for seven years, beginning the week it opened. Now she is looking forward to meeting new people at St. Joan of Arc as she helps out as a web reporter and photographer.

For parents wanting more information about signing for babies Denise recommended the book, Sign With Your Baby by Joseph Garcia. But in just one workshop Dense gave participants all the tools they need to immediately utilize their new skill and learn along with their babies. Denise Meyer can be reached at 651-210-1288 or at denisemeyer@mm.com.