Nancy Cadjan, President of Sign Babies, shares a few “baby signing” tips for parents.
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Start with 3-5 Signs like MILK, MORE, and EAT.
Talk as you sign. Your goal is to get your child to speak, so speak with your child as much as you can. When nursing or giving a bottle, say “Do you want some milk?” and sign MILK. Then, discuss the milk: “We’re having MILK. MILK is good!”
Make eye contact. Make the sign so your child can see your eyes, the sign, and your mouth. Then, exaggerate the word when you say and sign it. Say, “Do you want MORE apple?” and sign MORE.
Be Patient. If your baby is 6-9 months, it may take 2 months for your baby to make a sign. If your child is older, you might see results sooner.
Look for signs. Babies’ first signs don’t always look right. Like speech development, babies’ abilities to sign will improve as they sign more. Encourage any attempts your child makes. If you think you see a sign, say: “Do you want some MILK?” Continue to make the signs correctly and your child will learn to make the sign correctly.
Add signs when your child learns the first signs and begins to sign back. If your child is older, you can add signs more quickly.
Sign often (the key to success). Sign as you talk with your child, sign as you read books, sign as you sing, sign as you and your child interact. You can sing “Old MacDonald” and sign the animals
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For more information about baby signing, visit www.signbabies.com.
You can also hear more at the upcoming Utah Baby Fair, happening on Saturday,
September 29 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Provo Library. The Baby Fair is a great way to prepare for every baby stage—in one location!
More than 10 different classes will be offered through out the day (free with
admission) including: Sign Babies, Car Seat Safety, Kindermusik, Baby Sleep,
Prenatal Classes, Breastfeeding classes, and Birthing Options. You can also see the best and most innovative baby products. There will be free prenatal massages offered (space is limited) and prizes will be raffled off throughout the day (prize list: http://test.utahbabyfair.com/attend.html).
Admission is $5.00, children 12 and under are free. The first thousand people to arrive will receive a tote bag loaded with product samples and discounts
A “Cutest Baby Contest” will be sponsored by “Pretty Pictures.” The contest entrance
fee is $6.00, which includes the 4×6 picture of your little one.
Visit www.utahbabyfair.com for a list of vendors, prizes, class schedule, and directions to the library.
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