Sign Language Benefits

Accelerates brain development Increases opportunity to initiate conversations on issues that interest them Allows expression of wants, needs, and emotions Accelerates development of spatial relations and visual motor skill development Speaks earlier

2. Toddlers & Pre-school Children: 13 months-5 years

Promotes active learning Demonstrates better recognition of letters and phonics Better at spelling and vocabulary skills than non-signers Has an easier time learning to read than non-signers Learns to read and write before school age May develop the "image ability" of words Improves socialization due to advanced abilities to express themselves Improved memory skills compared to non-signers Increases language acquisition Able to demonstrate clearer speech articulation than non-signers Signers have an advantage in both receptive and expressive speech and language development Speaks earlier Develops a larger vocabulary by age 2 years and at age 3 years Demonstrates a greater interest in books Has better imaginations Learns to read and write before school age Enhanced self-esteem

3. Parents baby blocks

Able to meet your infant's needs in a timely manner Increases bonding with your baby Proves your baby understands the concepts and sounds matched to the gesture Decrease of frustration by decreasing "guessing" your baby's need when they cry and fuss Provides your baby with a "jump start" on verbal development Experience easier communications with more positive interactions than parents of non-signers Reduces the frequency of temper tantrums Gain insight into your baby's world Encourages childcare providers to be more attentive to the children in their care Can manage your child's behavior in public without raising your voice Gain insight into your child's imagination

4. Siblings

Enhances sibling relationships

5. Childcare Providers & Teachers

Decreases the "guessing" of getting to know the baby's needs wants

*SPECIAL NOTE

Benefits are not exclusive to a particular group or age. Cognitive and language development begin at an early age. The learning foundation is built upon as the child continues to learn sign as they become older. Sign language can assist in the acceleration of this development process because cognition develops earlier than vocal-motor development. For more information, please refer to the bibliography of supporting research on the Home page.