Imagine being able to stop your baby from crying by signing the word “eat” in sign language!
A recent article in The Hour quotes the director of a Norwalk, CT preschool about how she teaches sign language for babies and kids at the preschool and child care center.
Theresa Lauzon, the American Sign Language director at Carousel Preschool on France Street, said teaching infants sign language gives them a way to communicate. Before their vocal chords are developed, they can recognize words and express their needs to adults around them.
"Instead of crying and screaming, they (the babies) use their hands to talk," said Lauzon. "There's a bonding experience with the parents and with me as the teacher. They know as soon as I get there, they have someone to talk to."
According to Carousel, research has found that babies can construct language with their hands at least six to 12 months before they can speak.
Preschoolers can also learn to associate letters of the alphabet with words if they are taught the American Sign Language alphabet and how to spell their name in sign language before they learn to write. Parents and family who want to participate in this learning can do their own homework with a sign language DVD or sign language online course.
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