A new program at the Altona branch of the South Central Regional Library is helping parents and babies connect through communication long before a child can speak their first words.
This spring, the library launched ASL for Babies, a weekly program led by library clerk Michelle McLaughlin that introduces parents and caregivers to basic American Sign Language signs they can use with their infants or toddlers.
McLaughlin said the inspiration came from her own experience teaching sign language to her children when they were babies.
“Babies can understand language before they have the verbal skills to speak,” she said. “They’re social creatures and they want to communicate with you.”
The idea behind baby sign language is simple: giving babies a way to express basic needs and emotions through signs before they are able to form words verbally.
McLaughlin said she first discovered the value of sign language with her oldest son after a frustrating moment at home when he became upset but could not explain why.
“It took me a significant amount of time to figure out that his favourite toy had gone under the couch,” she said. “The first sign I taught him was ‘help.’ He used that for so many things and it was so handy because then he could lower his frustration levels and I could better understand what he needed.”
She said the program is designed to create a low-pressure environment for both parents and babies. Sessions are informal, allowing families to visit, practice signs together, and learn at their own pace.
“We just kind of practice and enjoy each other’s company,” McLaughlin said. “There’s no pressure.”
Each week, participants receive laminated flash cards featuring the signs covered during the class so families can continue practicing at home.
Katrina Miller, one of the participating parents, said she was interested in the program even though her daughter is only four months old.
“I figured it was a great opportunity,” Miller said. “As she gets older, if I can help her with sign language, then hopefully she’ll get less frustrated before she starts working on using her words.”
Miller said she had previously heard positive feedback from friends who used baby sign language with their own children and was interested in the communication benefits it could provide.
Another parent in the class, who has been signing with her son since he was four or five months old, said she has already noticed signs of understanding and communication development.
“He has a pretty big vocabulary now,” she said. “I think maybe it’s helping form his understanding of the world.”
McLaughlin said many parents already instinctively understand their babies’ non-verbal cues, and ASL can help strengthen that communication further.
“It’s a way to lessen the frustration between ‘I know what I want, but I can’t communicate it with you’,” she said.
Although turnout for the inaugural program has been smaller than hoped, McLaughlin said she would like to offer the class again in the fall or winter when families may be looking for more indoor activities.
For her, the biggest takeaway is helping parents and babies feel more connected.
“Teaching your baby ASL, even if it’s just the most simple, basic signs, is such a great way to communicate with your baby,” she said. “And it’s fun. Why wouldn’t you want to learn it?”
