Sign Language for Infants and Toddlers

Sign Language for Infants and Toddlers

Suited for parents and caregivers of children between ages birth - 2.5years (but not limited to this age!)

- Learn about the benefits of sign language for infants and toddlers to support their language development and communication

- Understand some of the research supporting the use of early sign language

- Gain knowledge to begin using sign language and know how and when to teach your child signs

- Learn New Zealand Sign Language signs to use with your child

- Reduce frustration and increase communication and connection between you and your child

- Signing resources and links to other sources to support your signing journey

- Opportunities to have your questions answered

FAQs:

- What is the right age to start sign language?

There isn't a 'right' time. You can begin when your child is very young, which will be more about you becoming familiar with signs and the concept of signing. Children 4 months and up will recognise signs and in the signing community it is typical for children around 10months of age to sign back. Signs can support children far into their talking years.

- What if my child is langauge delayed or neurodiverse?

Sign language can help a child learn to understand language and to communicate in a way that is possible for them regardless of their level of langauge.

- What if we speak different languages at home?

Fantastic! This is great for langauge and the brain development. Signs can bridge understanding between multiple languages.

- What signs do you teach?

I will teach you around 60 basic New Zealand Sign Language signs but if you choose to use baby signs that is totally fine and up to you. If you have used other signs than what I teach that is okay too! I use NZSL so that signs can be recognised in Early Childhood settings in centers that choose to incorporate sign language.

(Please note this is not directed towards supporting children with hearing impairment or language delays, however this knowledge is transferable to these settings).

Infants and toddlers welcome.

For enquires and more details please contact Rachel [email protected] or on 0273096784

FB eventlink: https://www.facebook.com/events/509063048670716/

I am a mum of two young children and have a background in Speech and Language Therapy. To bring you this workshop I am drawing upon my professional and clinical knowledge as well as my personal experience using sign language with my children to successfully support communication and assist language development.

Using baby sign language with my children has been one of the most rewarding things I have done as a parent thus far!

I love how it give them an ability to express their needs, desires, interests and character in a way I don't think would be possible without verbal communication/words.

Both of my children used over 100 signs at age one and would tell us 'stories' about what they had done and wanted to do. They could tell me how they were feeling with signs and even how I was feeling.

They both used signs and words together until their spoken language was more established. Sign Language helped me to work out what they were trying to say!

It definitely reduced frustration for all of us, helped me meet their needs and increased our connection and ability to communicate together.

I'm facilitating this workshop to encourage and support other parents to sign with their infants and toddlers because I loved it so much!

Host or Publisher Rachel Zahner