Scooby wrote:
I agree that young children do not initially have the capability to use some of the phonemes associated with 'proper' words. I don't have very strong feelings on this one way or another, but avoiding 'baby words' certainly didn't hold my kids back in terms of speech development. My feeling is that when adults use baby words, we are mimicking the children when it should be the other way around. Teaching your daughter sign language - now that is inventive and impressive.
Meanwhile we used a combination of what you are both saying. We avoided the baby words, I'm with Scooby on that one. With our first daughter, we planned to use baby sign language as Brendán did, but never got past a couple of basic signs - one being to tap your hand to mean 'more' was the most effective. She was able to ask for more food, more drink, more of the game, more music etc. Anyway, before the whole thing took off properly (we weren't the most dedicated to it), the real words started to come and we abandoned the sign language. Brilliant idea. Sounds like a bit of a fad, but actually makes perfect sense.
It's just as well everyone doesn't do the same thing with their children or it would make for a VERY boring world!
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Is foghlaimeoir mé. I am a learner. DEFINITELY wait for others to confirm and/or improve.
Beatha teanga í a labhairt.