Babies Can Communicate from 6mths old Experts Confirm

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(Free-Press-Release.com) March 15, 2010 -- If you're a parent, you probably remember the very first time your baby said their first word or waved hello or goodbye for the first time. Now, developmental experts say accumulated baby sign language studies point to earlier speech development and higher intelligence.

Building on simple gestures can help parents talk with their baby from 6mths old. Brisbane based Mum and baby signing expert Tamara Hamilton has a new series books, DVD’s, self-directed learning kits, and Baby Signing classes to promote the practice help more parents give their babies a head start.

Doctors who've been studying the effects of teaching sign language to babies say the practice can improve the bond that exists between babies and their parents.

"What we know about infants in their very first years of life is, they're very frustrated because they can't communicate," said Dr. Linda Acredolo, co-founder of the Baby Signs Institute. "So by providing them with very simple signs, like the deaf community uses, we find that we can lower frustration and really make a bond that's warm and rich between parent and child."

Expert Case Studies
Long before he could talk, Alex, now 16, was communicating using sign language. His mother, Jill, says the experience made those early years more enjoyable. "It's just so hard when you know your kid wants something but you don't know what it is and they're trying so hard to get you to understand. But Baby Signs just made it easy," Theg said.
Alex is one of 140 sign language babies followed by researchers for the past 16 years as part of a long-term study on the effects of signing with babies.

These days, Alex is an A grade student who is outgoing and involved in athletics. Acredolo says children like Alex, who've learned sign language at an early age, seem to be high achievers.

Acredolo says when these children had their IQs tested at 8 years old, they scored an average of 12 points higher than the control group. She says the same children also achieved higher-than-average scores on their high school graduating (OP's) and SAT's.

As interest in baby sign language has grown over the years, more workshops have popped up across the country, where parents hope to bridge that frustrating communication gap with children as young as six months old.

Teaching both her sons to “talk” from 6 months old using Baby Signs gestures, Tamara Hamilton of Brisbane says,

“Being a mum can be confusing and complicated. Using Baby Signs made it easier by understanding what my baby wanted. It is as simple as waving bye bye”.

Baby Sam has become a star in his You Tube signing video. (see below)

The Baby Signs program is the original baby sign language program which was developed by leading international childhood development experts and bestselling authors Drs Acredolo and Goodwyn.

Teaching your baby how to communicate using natural gestures which are instinctual and simple to learn from as young as 6 months, Baby Signs has been featured on Oprah, Meet the Fockers and is now available in Australia.

“I was drawn to the Baby Signs products as it is the only baby sign language program which is shaped by over 25 years of scientific research- all other baby sign language programs are fashioned off, or recite Dr Acredolo and Goodwyn’s findings. I could not believe we did not have access to this world leading program here in Australia” says Tamara.

Baby Signs research has documented positive benefits for both language and cognitive developments for babies such as;

• decreased frustration and increased trust between parent and baby

• assists in language development and vocabulary
• promotes intellectual development
• encourages positive emotional maturity and self confidence

Teaming up with fellow signing mum Janine Burden, Baby Signs Australia was born. “We are continually driven by our personal experience and enthusiasm for this program and being able to enrich the parent-child bond for fellow Australian families.”

Baby Signs Australia produces a range of resources which easily incorporates baby sign language into every day routines such as baby board books, DVD’s featuring Bee-Bo™ the signing bear and animated characters demonstrating the signs, parent guides & books and flip chart dictionaries.

Sources for Interview Available on Request via 1300780504
Video of Baby Signing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BffGUP-Wqu0
Images:
http://babysignsaustralia.com.au
Exclusive High Res Images for Print available from:
tamara@babysignsaustralia.com.au

baby sign language     baby signs