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BryanLGH Medical Center Presents: How to Talk to Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk
For Release: Immediately
Date: August 14, 2006
Contact: Peg Aschwege, 402-481-8784
Number: 06-17
Do you ever wonder what your baby is thinking? Or why your baby is crying? The Baby Signs® Program at BryanLGH teaches babies and parents to use simple, easy gestures or “signs” to talk to each other.
“The addition of this nationally renowned program will expand our existing childbirth and parenting education services into an all-encompassing resource for new parents,” said Kate Smid, Manager, BryanLGH Childbirth Unit. “It is a fantastic opportunity for parents to learn to communicate with their baby.”
Just because babies can’t talk, doesn’t mean they don’t have a lot to say. They often know exactly what they want, but because they can’t produce words, all they can do is cry. The Baby Signs® program teaches parents to model signs for things their child likely wants to say such as “hot”, “hungry”, “thirsty” or “more."
Two decades of research have proven that using the Baby Signs® Program:
- Reduces tears, tantrums and frustration
- Allows babies to express needs and share their worlds
- Enriches interactions between adults and babies
- Strengthens the parent/infant bond
- Helps babies learn to talk
- Promotes positive emotional development such as self-confidence and self esteem
- Umpstarts intellectual development
The Baby Signs® Program draws on simple signs from American Sign Language (ASL), as well as a few baby-created suggestions. It is a fun class and makes learning signs a breeze for everyone in the family. It is designed for parents with children six to 24 months. Early childhood educators, parent educators, social workers and health specialists also are welcome.
The Baby Signs® Program has been featured on national television, including the Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, Good Morning America and the NBC Nightly News. Articles about the Baby Signs® Program have appeared in national magazines including Newsweek, US News and World Report and Parents.
The class is taught by a certified Baby Signs® instructor in a single evening session from 7-9 p.m. 2006 dates are September 28, October 26 and November 30. The cost is $55 per couple and includes a book, two educational DVDs and a quick reference chart. To register for one of these sessions, call 402-481-8300.
Editors’ Note: To schedule an interview with Tracy Ostrander, Certified Baby Signs® Instructor, contact Peg Aschwege at 402-481-8784.
