Can Baby Sign Language Stop Tantrums

If you could find a way to stop tantrums before they start, would you? If you could find a way to help your baby's terrible two's not be so terrible would you? I'm sure you would. Find out how in the following article.  You may want to visit KinderWorkshops to find a certified instructor in your area.

So you'd like to... Stop Tantrums Before They Start

A guide by Nancy Cadjan, Infant Sign Language Instructor

So you have an infant or a toddler who is between the ages of 6-24 months and you are either dreading the onset of the "inevitable" Terrible Twos or are in the middle of them. You don’t have to suffer through them. There is a way to bypass much of the fuss and get to the love.

Most tantrums are caused by your child’s inability to communicate wants or needs. This would be frustrating to anyone. By giving children the power to communicate before they have the ability to talk, you can eliminate most of the tantrums and create a better relationship between the two of you.

Infants and toddlers who are taught simple sign language can communicate basic needs and even interest in things. Over 20 years of research shows that this leads to a reduction in tantrums as well as increased bonds, more interest in books, and even higher IQ scores (12 points higher is the average).

I have taught many parents to sign with their hearing infants. You can take a class to learn how to sign with your baby (see www.sign2me.com for a list of instructors in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.) or you can learn on your own. In both cases, there are some great tools to learn how to sign and to help you and your baby avoid all the tumult of this precarious age.

Learning the Basic Signs is Easy

'Sign Babies ASL Flash Cards, Set One: First Words (Sign Babies Asl Flash Cards)' was developed to introduce American Sign Language (ASL) signs for the words that babies and small children need most.

The eye-catching illustrations help young children to recognize common objects, actions, and emotions. Parents and educators can use the cards to facilitate learning signs that children can use to communicate before they can speak.

The flash cards can be presented individually to facilitate learning signs or in a 4 x 6 photo album to create a custom "book" that focuses on the words and concepts children are learning. The ASL sign and hint on the back side help adults remember the signs. All four sets cover 100 basic signs from food to animals to family members and emotions

'Sign Babies ASL Flash Cards, Set One: First Words (Sign Babies Asl Flash Cards)'
'Sign Babies ASL Flash Cards, Set Two: Around the House (Sign Babies)'
'Sign Babies ASL Flash Cards, Set Three: Animals (Sign Babies Asl Flash Cards)'
'Sign Babies ASL Flash Cards, Set Four: Family Life (Sign Babies)'

Learning More About the When and How of Signing

'Sign With Your Baby Complete Learning Kit (ASL-based Book, Training Video & Quick Reference Guide combination) (Sign With Your Baby)' teaches parents the basics of when and how to sign with your baby. The Complete Learning Kit has wonderful information, great stories about families that have used sign language, and a video that demonstrates 145 signs.

Seeing Other Children Signing

'Signing Time - An American Sign Language (ASL) Video for Children (Vol. 1)' introduces young children to a magical world where Alex and Leah invite them to “Come Sign With Us!” Children watching see Rachel demonstrating each sign and also see other children signing. It helps children recognize that other children sign too.

'Signing Time - An American Sign Language (ASL) Video for Children (Vol. 1)'
'Signing Time! Volume 2: Playtime Signs'
'Signing Time! Volume 3: Everyday Signs'