Talking hands
Author: Amanda Baxter
Magazine issue: Summer 08
Page numbers: 22-23
Date: 31 May 2008
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While gesture is part of natural communication and official signing systems are an established part of the speech and language therapy toolkit, the profession is divided on the issue of formal signing with babies in the absence of an identified need. A year ago when she began running baby signing ‘Talking Hands’ groups as part of ‘Early Start’ in Newham, Amanda Baxter was sitting on the baby signing fence but now, having seen the effect of signing as a means to enhance early communication skills, she is a convert. The ‘Talking Hands’ groups teach and use a range of signs that reflect early language development and environmental language use. Signs are introduced with objects, songs and stories, and sessions enable discussion of early communication and positive carer-child interaction.
