8 Reasons You Should Teach Your Kid Sign Language
Recently, I taught my kids about Beethoven, who famously composed deaf. We learned how hearing worked & what sound is (energy waves) (LINK to lesson plan).
I also taught them ASL (American Sign Language), which turned out to be ... well life-changing.
What started as a fun lesson add-on has become something we use every-day (yes, really). It's almost like a super-power & I want to tell everyone why they should teach their kids this amazing language.
8 Reasons to Teach Your Kids Sign Language
Talk ANYWHERE, ANYTIME: You'll be surprised at how useful sign language is. I can talk to my kids across a large room... during gymnastics class, while they are on stage at a dance recital. Anytime! I can also talk to them when it's not appropriate to talk out loud - happens more often than you’ll think. It’s also easy to check in with them without interrupting others.
Makes a Stronger, More Flexible Brain: Teaching your brain new tricks is a life hack to better brain function!. Speaking requires a different set of pathways than signing. It asks the speaking part of your brain to talk to the movement part of your brain. Anytime you can ask the brain to work differently, you are growing new connections! This makes your brain more “flexible” so it can take on new challenges with ease.
It’s Easier to SIGN How You Feel: One of the first set of signs you learn is "how are you" & the emotion answers. It's great to be able to check in with my kids & honestly, they always give me a big smile because signing is novel & fun.
Enhance Cognition: You’ve probably heard that bilingual children have stronger, faster brain function - they are statistically better at reading and math. Well, sign language does this too!
Connect with Kids who are Hearing Impaired: My kids have already run into another child who is hearing impaired. They can't sign very well yet but the girl was ECSTATIC to get to talk to them. It was heart-warming & you should give your kids the power to do this.
Understand Other's Perspectives: One of the best things you can do for your kids is build their empathy. Understand that not everyone's lives are like theirs. This is simple, beautiful, and fun way to do just that.
Career Opportunities: Proficiency in sign language can open up diverse career opportunities in fields such as education, interpretation, healthcare, and social services. You’d be surprised at how often this might come in handy!
Contemplate Silence: Sound affects us deeply. Our ancestors grew up in a much quieter world with only the sounds of animals, the wind, insects... now it's filled with constant hums, chimes, and buzzing. There is something special about taking time for quiet. Signing lets you create that silence, even if just for a short time. It’s worth exploring.
How to get started
If you are sold and interested in learning American Sign Language - HERE is a free program complete with quizzes and a schedule to turn it into class “credit” if you need that for your homeschool. He also teaches most commonly-used words first which allows you to start talking immediately!
NOTE: This is American sign language. Sign languages are regional specific. I have readers from all around the world, you can choose to teach your kids American Sign Language but your country likely has a different sign language unique to them.
Give your kids the gift of a new language!
Consider joining 𝓒𝖑𝖆𝖗𝖎𝖋𝖎𝓔𝒅 and experience the magic of joyful learning for yourself. Paid members receive Exclusive Education Strategies, Thriving Learner Workshops, Masterpiece Lesson Plans, 24/7 Community & Science of Kids. Can’t wait to meet you!♥️
