SIGN: Children, parents can communicate before kids can talk
Baby sign language, which allows children who haven't learned to speak still communicate, takes off in Fredericksburg area
By KRISTIN DAVIS
Date published: 2/8/2005
By KRISTIN DAVIS
About a year ago, Andrea Grosvenor watched a 14-month-old throw a crying fit at a mall food court.
The baby, who hadn't learned to speak yet, tearfully pointed to his diaper bag. A frustrating guessing game ensued between child and mother.
She handed him a juice cup. Then a bag of cereal. The baby responded by wailing louder. Then she gave him what he'd wanted all along--a milk bottle.
Grosvenor, who lives in Stafford County, looked to her own child, 14-month-old Alex. The blond-headed bundle smiled and tapped his left elbow.
Alex wanted crackers. Grosvenor knew it. Over the past four months, he'd been using sign language to communicate. This hand-to-elbow motion meant "crackers."
After watching the scene at the mall, Grosvenor wondered how many tantrums she'd avoided--tantrums often thrown by frustrated youngsters old enough to know what they want but too young to say it.
With simple hand movements, Alex could tell his parents he wanted milk, or that he was hungry or sleepy.
This silent speech is the product of the book "Baby Signs: How to Talk With Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk," published in 1996.
The authors, child-development professors Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn, reasoned that since babies gesture for what they want, parents could enhance this by using signs for certain words.
They were right. At age 10 months to a year, those constantly exposed to signing began to sign back. The babies continued until they learned to speak.
Parents were intrigued, and the concept became a hit.
Today, Baby Signs sells board books, games, toys and singalongs for little ones.
In April 2003, the company began hiring consultants to share these products and teach new moms how to sign.
A year ago, Baby Signs consultant Ann Supanklang offered this area's first "Sign, Say and Play" course. Three moms signed up for the six-week class.
But word spread quickly, and interest has exploded. Now, the Spotsylvania mother of one is a district manager for Baby Signs and oversees a half-dozen consultants.
Since last January, more than 60 babies have completed a program locally--learning to talk with their hands before mastering language.
Alex, Grosvenor's first baby, is one of them. She signed up for a six-week class last May.
"It was so much fun," Grosvenor said. "Alex had such a good time."
Date published: 2/8/2005
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