Why Use Signing?
What is signing? Makaton signing was developed almost forty years as a ‘sign language’ for children who were unable to talk. It is far more simplified than sign language used by deaf people and uses simple hand and body gestures for all the basic words that children need to say. The signs are based on natural gestures and simplified versions of the deaf sign language of each country.
Signing gets communication started
Signing is much easier for children to do than to talk. Before babies talk they learn to clap, wave, point and do lots of other actions. Many babies around the world are actually taught some basic signs to use before they are ready to talk. These babies start to communicate intentionally, and they learn the benefits of making themselves understood, long before they can do this with spoken words.
It is very easy to implement. Initially you choose a situation that is motivating for your child. For example, you could use the sign for “more” when offering a treat food. You take your child’s hands and help them make the signs, in the appropriate situations. You may need to do this many times. When you teach your child to sign, or when you sign to them, you ALWAYS say the word that you are representing. This way your child is hearing key words clearly, over and over.
Signing does not take the place of talking for most children – but it gives them an opportunity to start if talking is hard. Children do not choose to continue signing if they are able to talk. Research shows very clearly that signing does not discourage talking. It actually helps the talking to come. Gesture often helps to make talking easier for people with dyspraxia, and hearing words repeated clearly also makes it easier for children to learn words.
A Speech Pathologist can help you to decide if signing is the best way for your child to improve her communication, as well as guiding you through the process and deciding the best words to use.