Hopen,+Lisa

Hopen, Lisa

Hopen, Lisa. //Born2Sign - Infant Sign Language//. Web. 20 Dec. 2010. [].
 * "Shortly after birth, infants are equipped with the ability to comprehend language."
 * "However, they usually are not able to produce speech until after 12 to 24 months of age."
 * "As parents, we are left to wonder what is going on inside their little heads as we wait in anticipation for their first words."
 * "While their articulators (mouth, lips, tongue, teeth) are slowly maturing, they are quickly mastering their manual dexterity (ability to manipulate objects with their hands)."
 * "By teaching your child gestures or signs as well as spoken words, they are more quickly able to understand and communicate with the world around them."
 * "In the last few years research has been conducted to show the benefits of signing to your pre-verbal child."
 * "In the mid 1990’s it was revealed that, contrary to belief, signing does not deter or delay your child from speaking."
 * "Sign enables a child to be an active communicator at a much earlier age."
 * "He can initiate communication exchanges instead of being a passive observer."
 * "Additionally, researchers at the University of California have linked infant sign to a boost in IQ scores."
 * "They discovered a 12-point gap between a group of second-graders who had been trained to sign as babies and group that had not."
 * "It instills trust when a child realizes that the person caring for her is able to understand and satisfy her needs."
 * "You do not have to enroll in a course or be certified in American Sign Language (ASL)."
 * "Share the child’s signs with family members and caregivers."
 * "Follow your child’s lead."
 * "Be creative. (Make up your own special signs)"
 * "Always praise your child’s attempts."