| Sign Language is an invaluable tool for toddlers to | | | | frustration of not being able to speak properly, |
| communicate before they have fully developed | | | | you can reduce frustration. Frustration, especially |
| their speech. The toddler years are full of | | | | in boys can lead to aggression problems later on. |
| frustrations and tantrums; providing some mutual | | | | It shouldn't be considered as a means to give in |
| understanding can help to relieve some of this | | | | to the toddler, in fact, toddler sign language can |
| tension. Their development is especially important | | | | often be used to re-direct the behavior to a |
| during these first two years and is more rapid | | | | more appropriate solution. |
| than at any other time in their life. Signing for | | | | Some parents report that their toddlers revert |
| toddlers can be used to compliment speech | | | | back to sign language when frustrated. Not being |
| development and fill in the gaps where they don't | | | | able to spit out what they are trying to say but |
| quite have the words yet. | | | | still keen to get their point across. This offers |
| Toddlers are exciting little people. Everything | | | | them a release for their frustrations allowing the |
| happens at such a pace; it is a time for growing, | | | | temper to dissipate. |
| developing and exploring. Parent interaction during | | | | Teaching sign language to your toddler is easy. |
| this crucial period is so important. Proper speech | | | | They are very keen to copy anything that their |
| development will allow them to engage in proper | | | | parents do, so as long as the gesture is always |
| social interactions which will develop their social | | | | used with the word, it will be picked up on very |
| skills. Speech and social development are some of | | | | quickly. Choose some keyword signs that are |
| the most important milestones; how they | | | | important to your toddler and are not spoken by |
| progress these two vital skills will play a major | | | | them yet. Use these simple gestures every time |
| role in the way their future plays out. | | | | you speak that keyword and only ever use the |
| Toddler Sign Language is the use of gestures to | | | | gesture in a relevant situation. They should catch |
| convey the meaning of certain keywords. Some | | | | on very quickly and be able to mimic and replicate |
| begin this sign language much earlier and refer to | | | | your signs. |
| it as baby signing. There is no difference between | | | | Children that may be suffering from a slight |
| baby sign language and toddler sign language. | | | | language delay are also great candidates for |
| Although toddlers are able to speak a few words | | | | toddler signing. By having a visual stimulus, the |
| by their first birthday, they are still learning their | | | | words take on shape and have more meaning to |
| language skills right up until their third birthday. It | | | | the toddler. Toddler sign language has also been |
| will take this long for some toddlers to be | | | | shown to improve speech development when |
| understood by their family members. Toddlers are | | | | accompanied with the spoken word. Parent's who |
| so demanding and expect everything to go their | | | | use toddler sign language are more likely to spend |
| way. They also know exactly what they want | | | | quality time with their toddlers and take a vested |
| and when they want it. By providing them a | | | | interest in their development. |
| means to communicate these things without the | | | | |