Sign Language Classes For Toddlers From Baby Fingers Has Shown To Enhance Language Skills

Baby Fingers is offering parents the opportunity to start helping their children succeed at an earlier age. Now parents can enroll babies as young as one month, children in pre-school or Kindergarten, and toddlers, in music and sign language classes. Studies have shown that the early education of sign language and exposure to music has extreme benefits to the child's IQ, spatial reasoning skills and much more.

At Baby Fingers, they know that once you have a child, they become the most important character in your life. Here are a few frequently asked questions about Baby Fingers' to provide a better understanding of why the sign language classes for toddlers from Baby Fingers are great to be a part of.

Q: Will signing with my baby delay her speech development?
Research has clearly indicated that babies who have learned how to sign tend to form a stronger command of verbal language and also begin speaking at an earlier age than babies who do not sign.

Q: Why are Baby Fingers classes based on American Sign Language?
American Sign Language [ASL] is the language used by those who are Deaf. It is a true language standardized throughout the United States and Canada with its own grammar and syntax and the signs are not made up. Most people who share knowledge of that language will be able to identify and respond to the signs that your baby knows. The ASL structure is compatible with the nature of language development in infants. ASL signs are also very iconic, in many cases resembling the objects or activities they represent. A foundation is provided for continued learning of ASL [or any language] in later years.

Q: Are classes only for Deaf children?
No. In fact, Baby Fingers was developed for hearing babies and hearing parents. However, Deaf children and children with a variety of special needs will benefit from the program as well.

Q: What is the optimal age to introduce signs to our baby?
It is suggested to begin learning signs as early as possible that way it can become part of your routine. Your baby will enjoy watching your signs at a very early age.

Q: How long will it take for our baby to start signing?
Depending on consistency of use at home [among other things], some babies may begin to sign as early as 4-6 months, others not until after a year. A baby needs to develop memory, dexterity, and cognition adequate for recognizing, retaining, and producing. Babies will have what they need to begin signing between 8-10 months; some will start sooner and others will take their time.

Q: What scientific research supports the idea of signing with babies?
Research in this area is continuing today at Ohio State University. A longitudinal study was conducted at the University of California at Davis by Drs. Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn. The study, which followed babies through their eighth year, indicated that signing with babies has many benefits including a strengthened parent-child bond, increased interest in books, enhanced verbal language development, and higher IQs.

Q: Why the combination of music and sign language?
Music also enhances language development, spatial reasoning skills, socialization, and motivation to communicate. Signing is rhythmic as is music, and the combination provides a natural means by which to practice and interact. Both signing and music aid in the ability to keep a steady beat; this skill has been linked to improved reading performance.

Baby Fingers is a fun approach to enhancing a child’s language skills. Give your little miracle a head start in communication by participating in music and sign language classes for toddlers. For more information about Baby Fingers or their classes offered visit their website at Mybabyfingers.

Baby Fingers LLC, founded by Lora Heller, Board Certified and Licensed Music Therapist with a M.Sc. in Special Education/Deaf Education, specializing in music mediated sign language instruction. For more information, visit http://www.mybabyfingers.com/.