By Tash Reddy
If you find it difficult to communicate with babies, let your fingers do the talking. It's now as easy as taking candy from a kid with a new concept recently introduced into South Africa - baby sign language.
Kim Foster, a qualified primary school teacher and mother, first learned of the skill in London when she signed up for a baby signing workshop.
"At the end of the process, my son Matt was able to interpret almost 40 signs by the age of 18 months," she said.
Foster returned to South Africa in 2004 and decided to pursue the idea of pioneering the concept here.
After a period of research, including consultation with international signing experts, she launched her baby signing company, totcom, and now shares her knowledge and experience with parents, caregivers and teachers through totcom workshops.
Through learning sign language skills, pre-verbal babies can communicate needs, share secrets and air their views by signing.
"Baby signing is also beneficial to children exposed to more than one language, something prevalent in South Africa with its 11 official languages. Words that sound different, such as 'dog', 'hond', 'mpsa' and 'inja', now share one sign and the link is made.
"The advantage for children and parents is fewer tantrums and less crying in that babies can tell you through signs what they want, feel, see and hear.
"They also develop enhanced language and listening skills and, in doing so, increase their IQ. It also boosts self-esteem and they can express themselves better," she said.
Every word can be communicated through a sign. For example, the word "mother" requires the child to hold up three fingers, excluding the pinky and thumb and then tap it twice on the left hand.
If the child is bored, he or she taps the chin with a hand.
If they're sad, the hand will move slightly forward from the side of the nose. A tired child will hold his or her thumbs against the body, and then turn the hands downward. A hungry child will move his or her hand towards the mouth twice.
Signing workshops are arranged by various groups, including totcom.
"These workshops enable parents to start signing with their baby and help them discover the wonderful benefits of early communication through signing.
"Signing gives them a new insight into the mind of their baby," Foster said.
A book, For Before Words, is also available.
- Visit the website at www.totcom.co.za.