How to Teach a Child Sign Language

By eHow Relationships & Family Editor

Rate: (0 Ratings)

Many children become frustrated when they cannot communicate their needs or wants. Even infants can understand what you are saying and have needs they would like to communicate back to you. You can help if you teach them sign language. Your child's confidence will grow with their ability to communicate. Read on to learn how to teach a child sign language.

Flag Article

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Start with just a couple of signs from your sign language reference, such as a book, video or website.

Step2

Make the sign to your child as you say the word. Children will learn to associate the word with the action.

Step3

Maintain eye contact with your child while signing. Make sure they can see your eyes, mouth and the sign itself.

Step4

Point to the object you are describing or make the action. This leads to another association your child will learn.

Step5

Teach your child the signs by forming the sign as best you can with your child's hand. This helps them get a feel for making the sign.

Step6

Sign as often as possible and look for signs from your child. Repetition increases their associated learning ability. Work signs into your daily conversation. Looking for signs from them creates the opportunity to reinforce the sign and be sure they understand it.

Step7

Add signs based upon how quickly your child is learning them. Try to give them time to learn a couple of new signs at a time.

Tips & Warnings

Be patient with your child. Motor skills and understanding rates are not the same for every child and some need longer than others to become comfortable with signing. It can only help to teach them patience in the process.