Parents, grandparents and other caregivers for children ages birth to 24 months old can take part in a workshop session designed to help them better communicate with their babies…through sign language.

Baby Signs is scheduled to be held at the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Office in Knoxville on Wednesday, May 22nd.

The object is to teach adults some basic sign language, which they can then teach to their children. Carol Camp from the Iowa State Extension and Outreach tells KNIA/KRLS News this will enable infants and adults to better communicate with each other.

“Typically, the babies don’t have any way to communicate other than crying; and when you give them some tools to use, even non-verbal tools, they don’t have to rely on pointing and whining and crying to get their message across,” Camp says.

“If babies can’t communicate, they feel frustrated; and it often reveals itself as biting, hitting or other regressive behaviors in children. So having these signs can lessen the tension, and therefore the negative behaviors that children have.”

Camp says this technique is intended for use with any child, regardless of whether he or she has any sort of disability.

The session on May 22nd will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Iowa State Extension; there is no cost to attend, but advance registration is required. Children under the age of 14 should not be present.

For more information you can call 641-792-5437.