Teach Your Baby Sign Language

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

The facts are in. Signing furthers a baby's cognitive development. As Dr. Laura Dyer notes in her book Look Who's Talking!, "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. By contrast, an average non-signing child has 10 to 50 spoken words. (See Signing Smart at www.signingsmart.com). As noted by 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."

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."

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 our website and learn to sign with your baby.

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.

Read What Parents Are Saying About Signing With Baby

"Teaching Cole to sign has really cut down on his frustration by helping me better understand what he wants."

"I am amazed daily on how quickly Cole has picked up signs and how often he uses them for communication. After Cole signed "Milk" for the first time at 10 months, he quickly started learning new signs."

- Cindy, Mother of Cole

"Samantha's grandmother was skeptical about our teaching Samantha to sign. But when she realized that Samantha could tell her when she was hungry, or when she was all done, Grandma wanted to learn all of the signs that Samantha knew. Now, Grandma is one of Samantha's best teachers."

- Jill, Mother of Samantha

"Signing provided a great bonding activity for Sophie, her Mother and I. I think we connected with her early and often as a result of the signing activity. And I am amazed at her vocabulary at such a young age. Once she started speaking, she was using multiple words and making complete sentences in no time."

- James, Father of Sophie

"Teaching Cole to sign has also been a great way to instill manners early on. Now at 20 months, he signs and says "please" when he wants something and "thank you" when he gets it. With the "terrible twos" fast approaching, he has recently learned how to sign and say "sorry." Even though he is becoming more verbal, the signs reemphasize the new vocabulary he learns daily."

- Cindy, Mother of Cole

ABOUT THE BOOK

At Your Baby Can Talk!, we take a simple approach to teaching you to sign with your baby, while covering over 100 essential words for your baby! You will find our book, and the accompanying video, to be fun and rewarding.

Our system teaches American Sign Language and we discuss the benefits of using that formal language in teaching your child. We also examine some of the research data on baby sign language, covering many of the positive effects of signing with your baby. Next, we discuss general signing techniques and give you advice which will make signing easier for you and your baby.

The book is divided primarily according to word type. We review five basic hand shapes that are often used with American Sign Language, before covering our first words, beginning with many words your baby can use on an everyday basis. We also cover "needs-based" words that baby needs to know, including words to help keep baby comfortable, safe and sound. Next, we review some "high-impact" words that baby will find interesting and enjoy learning. Finally, we cover some "baby sentences", teaching you to begin combining words which allows your baby to be more specific in what he or she communicates to you.

At the back of the book, following some inspirational closing thoughts, we provide you with appendixes of the alphabet, colors and numbers and a useful word index.

ABOUT THE DVD

Our video host, Lauren McCullough, is an expert in American Sign Language, with a Bachelor's Degree in Deaf Studies and a Master's Degree in Deaf Education. As a teacher at a prominent school for the deaf, Lauren has a love for children and a passion for sign language.

In our video, Lauren demonstrates each of the words covered in the book, in order. Thus, once you review the instructions and illustrations provided by the book, you can look to Lauren for a perfect demonstration on making the sign. Clearly, Lauren's visual demonstrations will enhance your ability to learn and teach sign. Lauren also provides you with visual demonstrations on each of the book's four appendixes.

Click here for more information about our baby sign language book & DVD.

Also, click here to check out our baby sign language hub.

How Can Baby Sign, Before Baby Can Talk?

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. Infants develop the fine muscles in their hands before they develop the fine muscles required for speech. Thus, they are able to communicate with you with their hands before they can speak with their mouths. Most babies invent their own signs to try to convey what they are thinking. For example, doesn't your baby hold their his hands out when he wants to be picked up? This is a form of a sign!

Your baby knows what you are saying long before she will be able to speak the words herself. That is, her "receptive language" develops before 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! And don't underestimate your child. He will amaze you by what he can say, with his hands!

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

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.

To learn more essential baby words, visit our website and
teach your baby sign language.