Baby signing - fun in the water

DIYFather.com has several articles about the benefits of using sign language with babies (see
baby sign language can help with ear infections and a baby signing story). Here's a tip from signing coach Sara Bingham for how you can introduce certain signs while you're having fun in the water.

Play in the water with your baby ... in the tub or in a kiddie pool in the backyard. Remember children learn vocabulary best when you related the spoken words and signs you are showing them to sensory items, items that they are feeling while they play and interact with.

While playing or bathing your child, imitate his sounds and movements. Splash in the water and show your baby the sign for WATER. Pour a little bit of water onto your little one’s hand and sign WATER. If he likes this, doing it repeatedly, a little at a time, and sign WATER each time.

Bring a toy boat or duck into the water as well and allow them to float to your baby. When your little one reaches to grab the toy, label it with the sign for BOAT or DUCK. Take your turn with the toy and "hide" it under the water, when it pops up after you let it go, sign BOAT or DUCK. Do this over and over again and watch your little one giggle!

By Sara Bingham

Sara Bingham is the author of The Baby Signing Book and the founder of WeeHands, a baby sign language program with classes across North America. To learn more about the author and WeeHands visit www.weehands.com.