FAQ
Will my baby be expected to sit and concentrate for
the whole session?
No! It is expected that your baby will want to crawl, toddle
and explore. The classes have a variety of props and activities
to satisfy their curiosity and of course it is full of singing
that they love. It is perfectly fine for your baby to roam
away, and as all adults are encouraged to sing and sign the
key words, your baby will still be taking in the signs.
As your baby grows and becomes more familiar with the sessions,
they will be better able to focus and participate with the
activities and signing.
My baby signs so much will she ever talk?
Yes! By about 9-14 months, your baby may be signing quite
a few words to make her needs known, and she will be relishing
the opportunity to communicate more effectively. This achievement
in being able to communicate in sign will encourage her to
communicate more through speech. Signing is a natural first
step on the road to talking! There has been research to show
that babies who use sign have a 2-word communication level
by 14 months that most babies would reach by 24 months. When
using sign in conjunction with the spoken word, babies are
more likely to remember, understand and retain words as they
are using auditory, kinaesthetic and visual stimuli together.
When is a good time to start?
By about 5-6 months your baby will be more receptive to language
and what is going on around them. They will enjoy the music
and activities and will love to watch you as you sign to them.
All babies develop at different rates and there is no rush
for your baby to begin to sign early, they will sign back
when they are ready!
I have a toddler, is it too late to start signing?
No! Your toddler will have some language, but it will not
be as well developed as they would like. This often results
in the terrible two tantrums, when words and sentences just
can’t get out fast enough! Introducing signs at this
stage can aid understanding of speech and reduce the tantrums.
The walkers’ class is aimed at toddlers with age appropriate
activities to keep them focussed.
I’m worried about my 2 year olds speech, can
signing help?
Yes! Signing has been shown to greatly improve language development.
It can aid memory, as your child will be hearing and seeing
the word simultaneously. Obviously if you are very concerned
you should seek advice from your Doctor and speech therapist.
My 3 year old has Down Syndrome, would signing be
useful?
Yes! Signing can be great for children who have Down Syndrome,
as often they have some language delay. Signing is an excellent
way to help with communication skills and understanding. It
can also be beneficial for any child who has a communication
problem, such as Autism. Tiny Tots Sign Classes are designed
to be inclusive.
How should we start signing?
It is best to start off using 2 or 3 signs that you would
find most useful and use most in the day. Milk, drink, eat,
more, finish, bed, are usually the first signs taught. Every
time you say the word, use the sign.
How to sign effectively
• Keep it very simple and choose signs you would use
lots in the day –such as “eat, milk, sleep, more,
finished”.
• As you say the word use the sign - the more consistent
you are, the more your baby will take in!
• Your baby will often initiate the signs they want
to learn by showing interest (in animals for example). As
they point to an animal you can use the relevant sign.
• Have fun and don’t stress that your baby is
not using sign – be patient, sometimes it takes some
time!
• Only use one sign in a sentence, signing fuller sentences
is fine in songs.
• Praise your baby when he/she has made an attempt at
a sign - do not correct them. You may repeat the word and
model the sign correctly. Be very consistent!
How will we remember all the signs?
Don’t worry, the signs are remembered easily through
song and rhymes and you will only be teaching your baby a
few signs to start with. At the end of each session a lesson
plan is given out with the key signs for the day pictured.
There is also a library of signed resource books and DVD’s
that you can borrow if you are booked in for a term. An Introduction
to Tiny Tots Sign Booklet is also available, with the signs
covered for the term.
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