Signing with your Baby

Baby signing is becoming more and more popular. There has been extensive research going on for the past 10 years. Sign language is not just a language of the deaf, it is now spreading to the hearing community as well. Hearing children are being taught simple signs, some children as eary as birth, although they may not be able to form the signs right away, the child will slowly recognize them. Signs used in everyday activities are being shown to these children by their hearing parents. The main objective for this process is to open the barriers of communication between infant and adult sooner. And it has been successful.

Fun Facts about Baby Signing

• Infants develop the fine muscles in their hands before they develop those required for speech, so they're equipped to communicate with you before they can speak. They can communicate with their hands as early as 6-8 months.
• Infants taught sign language can communicate their wants and needs at an earlier age, will understand the English language earlier, may have a higher I.Q., and may learn to talk earlier
• Parents who sign with their baby may experience lower frustration, because their baby can communicate with them, and a deeper bonding with their child
• Common signs parents use with their babies include:more, milk, change, sleep, all done, and medicine, words that are useful for the baby.

Author, Joseph Garcia's webpage
A doctor's advise
Kindersigns
Watch a News Clip on baby sign
Article from the Washington Post
Baby Talk
Research done at California State University
The Longterm Impact
Research from The Ohio State University
WebMD Health article
Look Who's Talking--with their hands
Advise from the Sesame Street Parents
Article from the Seattle Post