“If I teach my child signs, will they still talk?”. Probably the first question on all parent’s minds if sign language is suggested, whether a friend or relative mentions teaching their baby signs early on, or an early intervention therapist. Parents want to know what’s the deal with baby signs? As an early intervention speech therapist, I have always used sign language as a part of therapy sessions. Research has shown that pairing a gesture(such as a sign)with the word provides the child an alternative way to communicate wants/needs. As long as the child can hear, they will imitate the word along with the sign in time. For some children, sounds and words can be challenging. There are a variety of reasons this can be the case. Using sign language is a way to bridge the gap until they are confident to imitate the word.

We all communicate with gestures sometimes. Babies begin to imitate actions and gestures before they imitate words. If imitating a sign(or gesture) can help them communicate their wants/needs before intense frustration sets in, we should provide them that alternative. Once they are comfortable using the word, they will, and the sign will disappear on its own. I began modeling signs with my own child around the time he began to really use his voice. That lovely stage babies go through around 8-10 months that they are screaming all the time😉 When they are excited, upset, or just impatient. Fun times, haha. We started with “eat”, “more”, and “all done”. Mostly because he was extremely impatient as I prepared his food and when was done with the meal(mostly just done sitting for it). Before a year old, he was using “more” spontaneously and functionally. His daycare was also great about teaching and using signs with the babies. Many childcare centers incorporate baby signs into their day.

Again, signs will not hinder spoken language in a child that can hear and is intentionally communicating with you in other ways(gestures, actions, vocalizations, etc.). Speak with your pediatrician or local Early Intervention program if you are concerned about your child’s speech and language development. Click on the Resources tab for more information regarding milestones and development. You can also find me on Instagram to see demonstrations for simple baby signs: @eattalkplays

Have you ever walked into a child care and notice mirrors on the walls? In some infant or young toddler rooms, they are placed at ground level. Why is this? As infants, it is important for babies to see their own reflections, as well as, the reflections of those that care for them. This is a great way to teach them they have a name and so do the other people around them(Hi Joey, Hi Daddy – as you wave). It is also helpful for them to see their actions, giving them the visual feedback as their movements are giving them proprioceptive and vestibular feedback.

Mirrors can be helpful to begin teaching body part identification, for both themselves and on other people(Joey’s nose, Mommy’s nose). Also, it’s a fun way to give them awareness of how their mouth moves and sounds they can make.

 For those children that are delayed in their speech and language skills, this can be helpful. However, some may avoid looking in the mirror and resist when it’s introduced. In my experience, these are the kiddos that also resist imitation for a long time. Anecdotally, there seems to be a connection in their perception of potentially failing at the task. They avoid at all costs until they feel confident that the attempt will be a perfect imitation.

If you have a child that does not enjoy looking in the mirror and making silly faces, try setting up a mirror where he/she plays the most. They may end up watching themselves play periodically, learning about how their bodies move. This could aid in less resistance to watching themselves, and you in the mirror. Once they realize watching themselves move their bodies(including their mouths)can help them to imitate more accurately, you can begin to teach them new sounds and words. Have fun and provide a lot of reinforcement as they try new things outside of their comfort zone!

One of the most common questions I get as an Early Intervention Speech Pathologist is about pacifier use. Pacifiers certainly have their use for our babes. Not just to help soothe those fussy babies! It has been linked with decreased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome(SIDS) and can help babies learn to self soothe. Some studies have shown pacifiers can be helpful for babies who may have trouble sucking or have an underdeveloped sucking reflex. Sucking is a reflex for newborn babies. Newborn reflexes do disappear as babies grow. We should see our babies decrease their need for sucking. They grow and take the bottle or breast less frequently. They begin to eat purees and transition to cup drinking(which I will have more information on).

There is much debate when your baby should no longer have the pacifier. In my experience, “cold turkey” may be more trouble than it’s worth. If it can be slowly decreased, it will be easier(for everyone!) when it suddenly “disappears”. Once your baby begins to show joint attention and imitation, he/she should begin to have it less often during the day. They can begin to explore how their mouths move and all the sounds they can make using toys, teethers, and even foods as they begin venturing through the feeding stages. As they get older, their awareness and memory begin to grow as well. Strategies to decrease pacifier use when they are in toddler stages will be more difficult because of this. In addition, the longer they use the pacifier, the structure of their mouth will begin to be affected and dentition shape will impact speech production.

 If you have found yourself with a toddler attached to their pacifier, there are a few things to try to replace the soothing comfort it has provided them. Some children do truly have an oral sensory need for more input to help them feel regulated. Currently, Occupational Therapists(OT) and Speech Language Pathologists(SLP) are recommending use of straw cups over sippy cups. There are many reasons for this shift. One of them being the input your child receives with sucking liquids through a straw. If your child seeks oral input, a straw to drink form is a great alternative and provides regulation to the sensory system. In addition, there are many tools that can be a good substitute throughout the day when they are looking for something to chew on or put in their mouth. When they are teething, these tools can serve double duty! Some of these can also be used to assist with feeding difficulties. It is important to always seek the assistance of a professional pediatric OT or SLP in this case. Contact your pediatrician to inquire about your local Early Intervention program. This is a process. It may happen more slowly than you would like, but it CAN happen with a plan.  Please see link below for more information if you would like to explore some alternatives to decrease pacifier use.

https://www.arktherapeutic.com/oral-motor/?aff=59

Not always the most pleasant routine of the day, but diaper changes can be a great learning opportunity for your baby! During this time, you are usually face to face. This gives your baby the perfect view of your mouth. As your baby watches you move your mouth, and hears the sounds/words you make, they will begin to imitate(as long as hearing is in tact). Not only are they imitating the motor actions of your mouth, but their tiny brains will make new connections, and the output will be imitation of sounds! So, as many times as you change diapers all day, will be the number of times you are teaching them speech and language!

This is a great time to make silly faces and sounds(raspberries, ooooh, ahhhh, etc). Talk about what you are doing(up, lay down, pants off, wipe, all clean, socks!, etc). Sing songs to your baby and gain eye contact with them. So many ways to engage with them and teach them during this routine! As they get older and begin to wiggle, protesting the process, any of these strategies can work to distract them from their protest.

Diaper changes can be a perfect time to gain interest and increase imitation for those kiddos who are not imitating or using sounds and words. Watching your mouth as they listen can be helpful to their ability to imitate. See developmental milestones in the resources tab for more information regarding when and what you should expect.

*If you have concerns that your baby is not reaching speech and language milestones, speak to your pediatrician or reach out to your local Early Intervention program.

Sounds/words to include: diaper, shirt, pants, socks, up, down, on, off, ooooh, yuck, stinky, wet, dry, all clean, all done, eye, nose, mouth, ears, head, arms, legs, feet, make “raspberries”, pop lips, click tongue, make any silly sound

What are the first sounds babies begin to use?  You will hear their first cooing/gurgling sounds around 6-8 weeks.  These sounds typically occur at the back of the mouth so think “ga-ga-ga” sounds.  When they begin babbling between 6-9 months you will likely here “Mamama”, “Bababa”, or “Dadada”.  It’s when you begin to respond to these babbles they begin to attach meaning that “Mamama” goes with “Mama” or “Dadada” goes with “Dada”.  As you model “Mama” and get very excited, the babbles shorten in length.  They figure out that, when I do this with my mouth and make these sounds only twice, that important lady who always takes care of me, responds to me and gets very happy😊  These sounds can be important indicators on what’s to come next.  Your interactions and responses play an important part with more sounds and words that happen over the next year.

 What’s an easy, fun way to help this continue to expand?  Animal sounds, environmental sounds, and exclamatory sounds.  What does that include?  Glad you asked! Ask yourself what animals do you and your baby see regularly.  In your house, around your neighborhood, looking at books, playing with their toys, etc.  Model when you see them, “Moooo says cow”, “Woof-woof says dog”(or insert your own dog’s name), “Tweet-tweet says bird”.  You get the picture. 

What are environmental sounds?  “Vroom-vroom goes the car”, “Beep-beep says the bus”, “Choo choo says the train”, and so on. 

Exclamatory sounds you ask?  “Ta-da!” Here they are(hope you caught that example right there!):  “Boom”, “Uh-oh”, “Plop”, “Wheee!”, “Whoa!”, “Wow!”, “Zoom”, “Mmmmmm!”, “Ahhhhh”.  You can model these sounds as soon as your baby begins to smile at you(6-8 weeks) as you begin bonding through daily interactions-feeding, diaper changes, and play.  Follow their lead sometimes too!  Imitate the sounds they make and see how long they will keep the exchange up. This is the beginning of the natural pauses in conversation and learning about turn-taking!