We believe in teaching Baby Sign Language because signing is a great activity for parent and child. It is both physically and cognitively stimulating. Children who grow up signing generally become better students than those who do not. And signing is a great bonding activity for you and your baby.

Perhaps the greatest thing about teaching your baby sign language, it allows you to communicate with your baby before he or she can talk. This eliminates one of the most common sources of parent/child frustration. Now when your baby is hungry, she can tell you she wants to "eat". Or, rather than kicking and screaming when he is finished, baby can tell you he is "all done" ... and ready to get out of his high chair.

Read what some parents say about teaching baby sign language.

Not sure whether or not you should sign with your baby? Don't just take our word for it. Look at what the experts say about teaching baby sign language.

In Dancing with Words, Marilyn Daniels states that "Students who receive sign instruction test significantly higher on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test than students in classes not receiving sign instruction. Their superior scores indicate that simultaneously presenting words visually, kinesthetically, and orally enhances a child's language development."

The fact is, signing furthers a baby's baby's cognitive development. In her book Look Who's Talking!, Dr. Laura Dyer notes that "When you combine signs with words, you stimulate your child's auditory, visual, and kinesthetic senses."

According to Dr. Michelle Anthony and Dr. Reyna Lindert, by 18 months of age, an average signing child will have 94 signs and 105 spoken words. An average non-signing child, by contrast, uses only 10 to 50 spoken words. (See Signing Smart at www.signingsmart.com). According to Dr. Anthony, "Having worked directly with literally thousands of children, and having carefully studied the language development of hundreds of them for our research, I can say with confidence that signing is not in any way associated with delayed speaking."

Finally, signing babies typically become smarter adults. The research of Dr. Linda Acredolo and Dr. Susan Goodwyn, founders of Baby Signs, Inc., shows that signing babies scored higher on standardized language tests than babies who did not sign, and an average of 12 points higher on intelligence tests at 8 years of age. The fact is, teaching baby sign language is good for baby's brain and overall development!

For more information, visit this baby sign language site.

References:

Dyer, Laura. (2003) Look Who's Talking. Minnetonka, MN: Meadowbrook Press.

Michelle, Anthony and Reyna Lindert. (2005) Signing Smart with Babies and Toddlers. New York: St. Martin's Press

Michelle, Anthony and Reyna Lindert. "Research." Signing Smart. February 9, 2008. http://www.signingsmart.com/research.html.

Daniels, Marylin. (2000) Dancing with Words. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group.

Acredelo, Linda and Susan Goodwyn. (2002) Baby Signs: How to Talk with Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk. New York: McGraw-Hill Professional.

Hello world! I am a "country lawyer" by trade. I live with my wife and dughter in a small town in Middle Georigia. I have a love for children and I believe in the benefits of teaching baby sign language. I suggest you take a fun approach to signing. Although you may want to be better able to communicate with your child, you may not want to be a signing expert. There are many resources availble on signing with pre-verbal babies. If nothing else, you can probably find a baby sign language book at your local library. So what are you waiting for? Start signign with your baby today!

Just as with the spoken word, many different formal sign languages are used around the world. In addition, we all use informal sign language in expressing ourselves when we speak. Some people "talk with their hands" more than others. Certainly, some gestures are more expressive than others! In any event, most cultures have their own sign language, both formal and informal. Formal sign languages include British Sign Language (BSL), Australian Sign Language (ASL) and Leguaje de Signos Mexicano (LSM), just to name a few. In this book, we will use our country's formal sign language, American Sign Language (often referred to as ASL).

It is important to use a formal sign language when teaching your child to sign. We chose to use American Sign Language (ASL) because it is the language we know. Also, it is the most widely used language in North America, with many readily available learning resources. If you learn ASL, you will be able to communicate with the millions of people already using the language. This could be a deaf friend or relative. Moreover, most baby sign language products are based on ASL. With ASL, you have all the resources you need to learn sign language and teach your baby to sign.

Hello world! I am an expert in American Sign Language. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Deaf Studies and a Master's Degree in Deaf Education. Since 2002, I have been a teacher at one of this country's largest state schools for the deaf. I have a love for children and a passion for sign language and signing for babies.

Watch Lauren sign (and see a cute signing baby) in this video.

Many people are amazed that babies as young as 6 months old can learn sign language. They think, "How can baby sign, when she can't even talk?" The answer is quite simple. Babies have always signed, albeit on an informal basis. Infants develop the fine muscles in their hands before they develop the fine muscles required for speech. Thus, they are equipped to communicate with you with their hands before they can speak. Most babies invent their own signs in order to convey their thoughts. For example, babies often hold their hands out when they want to be picked up and held. Obviously, this is a form of communication.

The fact is, your baby will know what you are saying long before he or she is able to speak the words. That is, baby's "receptive language" develops before he or she is able to talk. Some people assume that babies don't speak because they don't understand. The truth is, babies understand a great deal before they can talk. So be careful what you say in front of your baby!

Remember, the reason a baby does not speak may not be for a lack of understanding. Rather, it may be simply that he or she cannot yet control the movements of the mouth and tongue necessary to produce good speech. The muscles used to control those movements are not developed until babies are older. However, at a much earlier age, babies can control the movement necessary to produce signs. Don't underestimate your child. He or she will amaze you by what she can say, with her hands!

Following is a description of four popular signs. Now you don't have any excuse. Start signign with your baby today!

Mother

Obviously, baby needs to be able to call for Mommy and Daddy. We start with the ever popular "Mommy" (or "mama" where I come from). Seeing baby make this sign will make mommy so proud. Spread you fingers in the "open-5". While still holding your five fingers out, place your thumb on your chin.

Daddy

Of course, after baby learns mommy, she must learn "Daddy". Dad will be even prouder than Mom. Make an "open-5". Next, leaving your fingers extended, place four thumb on your forehead.

Milk

Now that baby has mom and dad's attention, she can ask for more "milk." You may have seen this fun one on Meet the Fockers. Simply open and close the fist of one or both hands, pretending that you are milking a cow. Holy cow, it's that easy! This will be a popular sign for your baby. It relates to one of her favorite activities, drinking milk.

Eat

Now that baby can tell you when she is thirsty, let's prepare her to tell you she is hungry and ready to "eat." Like milk, this will become one of baby's favorites. Simply bring your fingers, extended and closed like a "flat-O", to your mouth in a repeated motion, as if you are holding a piece of food.

For more information on signing with your baby, visit our baby sign language website.