Final answer:
Teaching sign language to infants can provide earlier communication opportunities, foster cognitive development, and establish a strong foundation for future language acquisition. It utilizes the natural gestural communication skills of infants and can provide valuable benefits, especially for children diagnosed as deaf.
Step-by-step explanation:
First and foremost, infants naturally develop communication skills through gesturing, even before they can verbalize words. By introducing sign language, you are capitalizing on this gestural communication phase, potentially enhancing their ability to convey their needs and thoughts earlier than they might with speech alone. Research indicates that sign language and spoken language are processed in different parts of the brain, suggesting that teaching both simultaneously can provide deeper cognitive reinforcement and improve chances of recall. It also seems that the same natural stages of vocal babbling in infants are mirrored in their hand movements when exposed to sign language, signifying a parallel in language development pathways for spoken and gestured communication. Engaging an infant with sign language can therefore stimulate cognitive development alongside, or even in advance of, their spoken language acquisition. Additionally, sign language can be a valuable tool for children diagnosed as deaf, offering a means of communication that doesn't rely on sound and providing a cultural connection to the deaf community. While controversial, studies in primates like Koko the gorilla have shown the capabilities of gestures and signs in facilitating complex communication, highlighting the potential strength of non-verbal language skills. Overall, teaching sign language to infants can foster early communication, and cognitive development, and provide a foundation for language skills that will be invaluable throughout their lives.