What is Sing and
Sign?
As a part of typical development
before speech is well established, babies naturally use a
combination of gestures and sounds to help their parents understand
them. Baby signing is wonderfully rewarding and fantastic
fun! You will be amazed by what your baby is capable of telling you
before being able to talk.
The setting carries out a
wide range of sing and sign activities throughout all rooms
throughout the day, not just the first steps room. This
supports all of our children who may find it difficult to
communicate verbally. The setting has resources to support such
activities.
What are the benefits
of baby signing?
-
Helping to understand your baby's
needs, thought and ideas
-
Reducing frustration (for baby and
parent)
-
Enhancing early vocabulary and
understanding
-
Encouraging the development of
speech
-
Enriching your baby's
relationships
-
Building confidence and
self-esteem
-
Stimulating your baby's
intellectual and emotional development
Could Signing inhibit a
baby's instinct to talk?
No, not at all. Quite the reverse!
Gestures are not a replacement for speech, when using a sign you
always say the accompanyig word. Your baby's first words will be
given a real boost by baby signing.
What is the Sing and Sign
approach?
We think the best way to learn baby
signing is in a fun and relaxed way through enjoying action songs.
Musical activities are known to stimulate language development
and the songs are such an easy way to remember the signs, it
doesn't feel like learning at all! The Sing and Sign
company have especially written or adapted songs to target the
important words in your baby's world. We sing about going to the
park, meal time, bath time, and bed time and other things to
capture your child's imagination like animals and vehicles. These
are the signs babies love to use!
Sing and Sign is widely recommended
by Sure Start, the government service working to promote all
aspects of development in babies and young children. Susan Duffy,
Speech and Language Therapist for Sure Start says "Sing and Sign is
a brilliant programme. We suggest all our mums and babies use
signs, as gesture is a natural first form of communication. The
gestures shown in Sing and Sign can help babies understand more of
what is said to them and enables babies to express themselves
earlier. Using signs make life for parents less stressful!"
More information can be
found here.