Many people are now using “Baby Sign Language” as a way of understanding their baby better. It is a very effective way of communicating with your children who are unable to tell you their thoughts, needs, or wants verbally.

One of the most common reasons for a baby or toddler to have a tantrum, (or paddy, as I like to call it) is their inability to express themselves leading to frustration and inevitably a paddy.

By using simple gestures, (e.g. – using a wave to ask for a drink) babies can communicate with their parents far more easily. However, it is obviously important that the parent knows what each gesture means. The language doesn’t have to complicated or anything like normal sign language. It just needs to be very visual and baby will find it far easier to remember than spoken words.

For example: Most babies learn to wave good-bye to visitors at a very early age because it’s a visual command that we teach them. By using baby sign language to communicate with your baby as well as speaking the words at the same time, your baby will usually learn to talk far more easily.

Babies often don’t like hand-over-hand prompts to help them use sign language and many babies won’t. They need to learn each simple gesture and pick them up gradually. Baby sign language does not need to thrust upon your baby. The best approach is to connect the words with the signs and with the object or activity.

One of the most popular signs to teach first is “more” because it is very easy for a baby to understand. If you are swinging a baby in a swing, take a moment to stop swinging and sign “more” before continuing the activity. It is not necessary to require the baby to use sign language. Simply showing the signs is a great way to introduce them. Baby will eventually begin using the sign language on their own as they learn to copy from the parent.

Involve activities and things that the baby loves and you will have a great start on building your child’s communication skills. Baby sign language is the first step to developing good communication skills, and in turn, good behaviour.

For more great information on an array of baby related topics please visit www.TrulyBabies.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Reimann