Based on the best-selling book 'Baby Signs: How To Talk With Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk' by researchers and founders of the Baby Signs Program Drs. Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn, Unger-Simonic offers classes that show parents and caregivers how to teach signs to babies so that they can communicate before they are able to speak.
"It's something I became so passionate about that I wanted to share it with other parents," said Unger-Simonic, who grew up in the Dundas Street West and Glenlake Avenue area and still lives there with her husband and 20-month-old son, Alexander.
Unger-Simonic began using signs with Alexander early on, adding an action to her words. At nine months, he started signing the words 'all done.' Now, he knows 50 to 60 signs and in some cases is pairing them with words. It's a constant cycle, Unger-Simonic said.
"As he becomes confident with a word, he'll drop the sign," she said. "It really changes the dynamic of our family. He rarely has tantrums because he asks for what he wants. I've seen how it changes the dynamic between toddlers and teachers in daycare. It's a calmer place to be."
Unger-Simonic said the key is to start with children's routines. Alexander loved bath time, for example. He picked up signs he was interested in. On the other hand, he didn't sign 'drink' until he was 11 months because there wasn't a need for it - he always has a sippy cup nearby. Unger-Simonic tells parents to bear in mind that their children's signs will look different from their own. She suggests looking for approximations.
The popularity of the Baby Signs Program is growing. It's a subject its founders have been researching for two-plus decades. Their research shows that using the Baby Signs Program reduces frustration, strengthens the parent and infant bond, and helps babies learn to talk. While many parents are embracing the techniques, critics say that teaching a baby to use signs discourages them from learning to talk. Unger-Simonic reassures parents that using the Baby Signs Program does not decrease a child's likeliness to speak.
"In fact, studies show that those babies who communicate using signs before they have words learn to speak sooner and have larger vocabularies," she said.
Marie Fernandez, an Annette and Jane Streets area resident, who has taken Unger-Simonic's classes, said they have been beneficial to her 20-month-old daughter's development. She began signing at nine months and her vocabulary has increased massively.
"It doesn't delay vocab development as long as you use signs along with words," she said.
Laura Oyama, a professor of early childhood education at Humber College for the past 23 years, asked Unger-Simonic, a former student, to be a guest speaker in her infant and toddler classes.
"Research shows it has been able to reduce frustration, friction for caregivers," Oyama said. "And it's a really great way to empower the child."
Unger-Simonic said she believes signing makes being a parent more rewarding.
"It's a lot of fun. If we go to the park, (Alexander) can tell me what he sees. It really has changed my son and I and how we interact throughout the day," she said.
Visit www.babysignswithmarina.com for details.