Basic Baby Sign Language Chart
Basic Baby Sign Language Chart
SIMPLE SIGN LANGUAGE INFORMATION SHEET
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Purpose:
• Help a child comprehend vocabulary &
directions
• Provide an alternative method to
communicate needs and wants
• Act as a bridge until words are developed
Benefits: enables a child to...
Infants and toddlers use gestures, "signs
• Improve social interaction with others by
that are universal and easily identified by all," to
signing needs and wants
communicate needs and wants (Brown & Clements,
• Reduce the frustration and stress of not
2005, p.14). They wave goodbye, raise their arms
being able to communicate
to be held, and pull on someone's pants to get their
attention ‐‐ all before any words are spoken. Once • Understand what is being said
the toddler realizes that it's faster to use words, • Communicate and get needs met
then gestures begin to fade away. Without gestures Can support children who have...
infants and toddlers can get very frustrated until • Speech and Language Delays
adults figure out their needs. Similarly children with • Difficulty Processing Verbal Input
disabilities or special needs can also get frustrated • Autism & Asperger Syndrome
when they do not understand verbal directions or • English As a Second Language
have limited or no speech to get their needs met. • Hearing Impairments
This frustration can lead to behavior challenges. • Cognitive Delays
Gestures and sign language are the bridge • Challenging Behaviors
that help children comprehend verbal directions
Reference: Brown, C. & Clements, J. (2005). Sign language for
babies and toddlers. San Diego: Thunder Bay Press. develop words
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