| Two questions I get asked regularly are: * What | | | | partner speaks Spanish, when introducing a word |
| is the best way to introduce more than one | | | | such as "milk" you would say the word "milk" in |
| language to my baby? * If introducing my baby | | | | English and introduce the sign for that word. Your |
| to two languages already, how do I incorporate | | | | partner would introduce the word "milk" in Spanish |
| baby sign language into this process? In today's | | | | ("leche") while signing the word "milk". If you are |
| multi-cultural society, many children are exposed | | | | separating the language by place, it is important to |
| to more than one language from birth. Parents | | | | use one language with your baby sign language |
| approach this differently but there are two | | | | consistently in the home but whenever outside |
| predominant schools of thought on how to raise a | | | | the home (or in the community) that the second |
| bilingual baby: * The first is to separate the | | | | language is always used in conjunction with baby |
| language by person * The second is to separate | | | | sign language. For example, home may be where |
| the language by place The first approach is also | | | | you would speak Spanish and sign the word and |
| known as the "one parent one language" approach | | | | then anywhere outside the home, you would use |
| and is where one parent or caregiver uses one | | | | English and sign language. For this approach, you |
| language while the other parent or caregiver uses | | | | could also try to include family and friends in the |
| another language. The second approach is where | | | | process by encouraging them to sign some basic |
| one language is used in the home, the "family | | | | words to your baby ensuring that they use one |
| language", and the other language is used outside | | | | language inside the home and the second language |
| the home or in the community. So how can | | | | outside the home. After all, the more your baby |
| parents then incorporate baby sign language into | | | | sees the signs, the quicker your baby will |
| this environment? The way to incorporate baby | | | | understand what it is you are trying to |
| sign language into your baby's life will depend on | | | | communicate. While oral communication is difficult |
| which school of thought you are using above. If | | | | for your baby at six months of age, baby sign |
| you are separating the language by person, it is | | | | language is the tool that can help close the gap of |
| important that both parents also use the basic | | | | communication until your baby can physically |
| signs when they say the word in their language. | | | | speak in one of the other languages you maybe |
| For example if you speak English and your | | | | introducing them to. Happy Signing! |