At New Leaf Preschool we use gentle parenting techniques and follow the child. Sign language is a great tool that we utilize to help children communicate their needs within the classroom. It is important that families recognize signs so that they can clearly communicate with their child at home until they become verbal. We begin introducing signs at 4 months old, generally in the order that they are listed below. It is important when signing to your child that you sign the word and accompany the sign by clearly speaking the word.
Sometimes the physicality of signing also helps to curb bad behaviors. The very physical sign STOP is a tool that we use with our toddlers to help them to channel their anger into something positive rather than biting or hitting a classmate.
