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Greg Long (left) of NIU's Department of
Communicative Disorders, and John Launer,
president of DeKalb Kiwanis Club, use baby gestures
to communicate. Long is saying, "I want to eat," and
Launer is saying, "I want to drink." It is possible for
infants to learn and use many meaningful gestures
before speech develops.
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NIU, DeKalb Kiwanis
collaborate for class
on baby gestures
The language of gestures for infants can increase learning and speech development, reduce communication frustrations between infants and parents, and provide a bridge for infants facing slower speech development.
The development of a special program for parents to use gesture communication with their infants is the objective of a new collaboration between the Kiwanis Club of DeKalb and the NIU Department of Communicative Disorders in the College of Health and Human Sciences.
The next pilot session for parents or caregivers and their infants starts Monday, April 7. The sessions last about 45 minutes and are spaced a week apart. Local parents or caregivers with infants between 9 months and 2 years are encouraged to enroll for the next session.
The first pilot session with six infants was completed successfully in February at NIU.
During that time, parents were taught how to promote meaningful communication through gestures as well as how to recognize communication gestures from their children. That pilot included twins as well as a child with special needs.
By the end of the four-week pilot session, all infants were using baby signs at various levels to express themselves.
Studies have shown that the use of a consistent set of gestures will promote earlier and more comprehensive speech, increased cognitive benefits (IQ), reduced frustrations and generally better interaction with parents or caregivers.
A side benefit is that a closer bonding between adult and child seems to occur. This approach is appropriate for infants who are typically developing as well as those who have special needs.
DeKalb Kiwanis is working with NIU in the development of this program by funding a half-time graduate student position to aid program development. Additionally, DeKalb Kiwanis is providing community input for program enhancement as well as providing transportation to program session when needed.
To enroll, or for more information about the program, call Janet Olson at 753-1401 or Greg Long at 753-6508.
3-31-2003
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