Research done by Joe Fagan from Case Western Reserve University and Susan Rose From Albert Einstein College of Medicine are finding that children who do better on memory tests when they are infants, tend to score higher on traditional measures of IQ at two, three, and even six years of age.Sign language has been proven to strengthen memory skills by combining multiple forms of learning, such as visual and auditory.

Andrea Burton Ploehn, Signing 4 Baby

I have seen it happen time and time again, those children that use baby sign language are light years ahead of those who do not.  There is a lot of research out there to back it up.

Research done by Burton L. White PhD cited that “Even some thirty years ago reports appeared that indicated that children taught sign language had acquired about seventy-five signs by the time they were nine months old. In contrast, the typical child of that age could understand fewer than ten words, regardless of how bright she was”.

For more benefits and research visit our site at www.signing4baby.com

Andrea Burton Ploehn

Some parents get worried if they don’t feel their child is following the “steps” of sign language by the book. One mom commented, “My 15 month old son has somehow gotten the “more” sign confused… he does it when he wants something as opposed to wanting more of something… how do I get him back on track?”

I have two children that I did baby sign language with, and I teach baby sign language classes. Her 15 month old is doing exactly what he should be. He’s simply in one of the signing stages called “experimenting”. In this stage they try to use the signs in different contexts, which is great. Plus, it doesn’t sound like he’s that confused about the sign. My kids did it all the time, when they wanted something they would also sign more… if they didn’t have something at the moment, they wanted more of whatever it was.

Andrea Burton Ploehn, co-founder signing 4 baby

When I first heard about using sign language with babies, I was pretty skeptical.  I already knew sign language, but it had never crossed my mind to use it with a baby.  After a lot of research, I decided that when I had my first child, I would try it out.  Now after having three children and using sign language with my oldest two, I can honestly say it’s one of the best things I’ve done for them.  My third child is only 1 month old, but I am definitely going to continue using baby sign language with him.

One article I found was done by Linda Acredolo and Dr. Susan Goodwyn, which showed in a long term study that “children using standardized language measures, children at 24 months using simple signs to communicate, were on average talking more like 27 or 28 month old.”

The study alsoshowed a “three-month advantage over the children who were not signing. Also the infants using signs were putting together significantly longer sentences. Then at 36 months the children using signs on average were talking more like 47 month old which translates to almost a full year ahead of non-signing children”.

It almost sounds too good to be true, but from personal experience I know that it really does work.  Both my son and daughter have been months ahead of the average.  I had people coming up to me in the grocery store and they’d ask how old my daughter was.  When I’d tell them 15 months, they’d stare at me in shock… because at that point she was saying full clear sentences.  I can’t tell you how secretly pleased I was!

If anyone is trying to decide if they should use sign language with their child, do the research and find all the resources you can.  That’s what I did, and the evidence was overwhelming that the benefits are amazing.

If you have any questions about my experience with my family using baby sign language, feel free to email me. signing4baby@hotmail.com .

Andrea Burton Ploehn, Co-Founder Signing 4 Baby

To receive the entire series of Signing Time at discount it costs over $600.00.  For the same amount of signs you can purchase the “Signing 4 Baby” collection for only $29.97!  Signing 4 Baby is a unique product that focuses on parent child interaction.  Research shows that to receive the amazing benefits of using sign language with your child, there are specific things that need to be done during the learning process as a parent.  Don’t just let your children sit alone in front of a T.V. for their education. Find out now how to take an active roll in giving them a jump start in life.  Visit www.signing4baby.com today!”

I’ll be seeing you soon,

Andrea Ploehn