response 1 wk 4

The development of successful communication skills during infancy and toddlerhood is an important element in child development (Nelson, White & Grewe, 2012). Thus, a commercially prevalent trend is teaching sign language to normal, hearing babies to help them communicate more effectively with people around them. In her book, Baby Sign Language for Hearing Babies, Karyn Warburton writes that all babies try to communicate by using their body language, facial expressions, noises, and cries before they can speak; as a result, teaching them sign language would bridge the gap between what they want to say, but unable to because of their slower articulatory system development. From another perspective, some researchers argue that there is not enough evidence that sign language would have the claimed benefits promoted by sign language websites that are simply marketing their products without solid evidence. In my opinion, sign language can help mothers and caregivers understand infants better, which would lessen tantrums and strengthen the bond between them.