Sign Language for Kids

Everyone of us, now and then, use signs instead of spoken or written words to communicate with our friends, colleagues and family members. People are generally under a misapprehension that sign language is used for, and primarily by, people suffering from hearing loss. Most often we use these signs unconsciously, but sometimes we use them deliberately to communicate subtle messages to others. Can sign language be used to communicate with your baby, who is yet to learn to talk? Is it possible to teach sign language to a preschooler or second or third grader? Yes, it is possible to teach sign language to babies and children between age of 6 – 36 months. Babies use their face and hands, and of course voice, to communicate their needs. Teaching baby sign language to your 6 month child will establish a 2-way communication between you and your child. If you think this will burden your baby, then be aware that each baby creates his or her own sign language to communicate hunger, thirst, etc that only it's parents can understand. If you want more information read books or articles on history of sign language. Following is a short list of benefits of sign language for kids. Sign language helps your child by increasing:

• His or her vocabulary
• Spelling-proficiency
• Self image
• Your child's ability to express emotions.

How to Learn Sign Language?

More than 100 sign languages are used by people all over the world. American sign language (ASL) is used in the North American continent. It is the second or third most popular and used language. It can perform as a sign language for kids. British sign language (BSL) is a different sign language as compared to ASL, which incorporates hand, arm, head movements and body posture to express meaning. Fingers are used to convey American sign language alphabets. It has distinct grammar and rules for semantics. If you are grappling with the question of, "How to learn sign language?", read the following brief note:

• Sign language classes: The proper way to learn a sign language is to learn it from a trained teacher. A professional teacher can put you on the right track from day one while teaching sign language to you. The teacher can also give you feedback and correct your technique in time.
• In the United States, many colleges and universities are conducting classes where ASL is taught to interested candidates. A sign language class offers you an opportunity to interact with other participants of the class and teamwork could put all of you on the fast track.
• Online resources: There are many resources, such as visual sign language dictionary on the Internet, that offers you on-line help to learn sign language.
• Sign Language Dictionary: Using this resource, you could support and speed up your personal efforts in learning ASL and acquire many ASL signs. A sign language dictionary could also help you translating English to ASL and ASL to English.

The fact that children who knew sign language can learn to read before going to school was known since the 17^th century. The interpretation of words into sign language, was first noticed among a few deaf parents who were found teaching their children to spell the printed words, using their fingers (finger writing). Sign language aware children are better placed than the rest when they eventually go to the school for proper education. Children who know how to express themselves using sign language for kids have better chances of adapting to changes in his or her lifestyle.