Baby signing: development tool or baby craze?

The debate is in the context of the explosion in the amount of baby signing classes and materials available to parents.  With popular symbols conveying basic needs such as 'eat', 'drink', 'milk', 'more' and 'no', many people argue that it helps babies communicate before they can speak and that it enhances intelligence and behaviour. Others doubt whether it aids child development at all.

Experts including Dr Gwyneth Doherty-Sneddon (University of Stirling) and Dr Gary Morgan (DCAL) will speak at the debate, which is part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science.  Dr Tyron Woolfe, also from DCAL, will offer a Deaf community perspective on signing for hearing babies.

The debate will take place at the Gustave Tuck Lecture Theatre, UCL, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT (click here for a map). The debate will start at 11am and is expected to finish at 1pm. Admission is free. 

For further information, contact Peter Lane on 01792363739 or 07768660865.