The “Level Up Series” introduces advanced concepts that can take your nanny skills to the next level. We know that not every idea will resonate with you, but if you desire to be among the best in your field, we encourage you to explore something new. This, in addition to the Modern Nanny toolbox, will set you apart as a spectacular nanny.
Children between the ages of 0-3 are best suited to learn new languages, and this can translate into the rest of their lives. We use many gestures in day-to-day life, such as waving hello and goodbye and shaking our heads yes and no. Teaching your child sign language can take this a step further, help them learn to speak quicker, and encourage thinking out of the box.
Why Teach Sign Language?
Increases children’s understanding of what they need, and deepens the communication bond between you and the child
Reduces the risk of temper tantrums and misunderstanding their requests
Improves their IQ
Increases their social skills at an earlier age
Can pick up other languages with more ease since their brains are adapted to learning multiple languages
Tips for Teaching:
Introduce words slowly, beginning with simple ones like water, food, thank you, and I love you
Use the word and the sign concurrently
Reward the child with positive reinforcement when they repeat the sign back, but do not use any negative reinforcement (e.g., not giving them an item until they sign it or sign it correctly)
Keep sessions short (5 minutes each), but repeat 3 times per day
Ensure that you and the parent are on the same page; print out sign language signs that you are learning so they can also reinforce the learning
Note: If parents are concerned that using sign language will delay any language skills, the evidence just doesn’t support that. In fact, the studies suggest they will learn even earlier!
Embracing these practices not only enriches the child’s development, it also showcases your commitment to excellence as a nanny. Please use our Pinterest board as a resource as well, and reach out to Melanie if you have any questions!
