Monday, June 8, 2009

Some arguments about sign language

Many people argue that signing might take over actual talking that should be going on between parents and children. This can be true in some cases. It is important for a parent to remember that their child must learn to sign as well as speak. One without the other would make it difficult to have any of the advantages that may be given with sign language. A parent who teaches their child sign language must also speak with them. For example, if a parent is showing their child a sign for water and then shows them the water, this will not be good for the development of the child's language skills. If a parent teaches the child the word for water by showing them a glass of water and then saying water as they do the sign, this will teach the child the two separate ways of referring to the liquid in the cup. Parents should always speak with their child to promote the development of speech even if they aren't teaching their child sign language. If a child is using signs but no t speaking, then the brain will prune the dendrites the child has to learn to speak and they will be impaired for the rest of their lives.



No comments: