I recently read an article on “Can Signing take the place of crying?”.  In this article, new research highlighted that children who were introduced to baby sign language had reduced episodes of crying.

The research involved two children, Lyle (9 months old) and Geoffrey (10 months old), who were quite prone to crying.  Geoffrey would cry when he didn’t get enough attention in the classroom and Lyle would cry when he wanted his mum to pick him up.  Geoffrey was taught to sign “please” when he wanted attention and Lyle was taught to sign “up” when he wanted to be picked up.

Once the sign had been introduced, both children followed a similar pattern.  When they realised what the sign symbolised, they began to use it and their was a dramatic reduction in tears. Earlier baby sign language research highlighted that one of the benefits of using sign language was reduced frustration in children and parents.  This new research supports this finding and I know that the majority of parents who have introduced Australian Baby Hands into their home, have also experienced the benefit of reduced frustration.

Read the full report on this research here Enhancing Early Communication through Infant Sign Training.