Something every parent does when handed their newborn is took them over from top to bottom with amazement and joy, making sure everything is A-Okay. They run down the checklist mentally as they cry and embrace their new child. Two feet? Check. Ten Toes? Check. Two Hands? Check. Ten Fingers? Check. Now thanks to a number of researchers and growing understanding of language development those two hands may not be silent long. Advocates are raving about new products which exist to teach babies sign language.



Never Too Young To Learn

Gone are the days when all an infant had to do was look cute and eat what was given. Now as a child eats, drinks or needs a diaper change, sign language is also being communicated. Studies show while thinking skills develop rapidly, language skills do not. Teaching your infant signs is one way to create a meaningful communication before the language process takes hold. Parents have been teaching babies with signs for eating of momma for years by repeated hand motions for certain events. The book Baby Signs: How To Talk With Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk by Linda Acredolo contains the proper sign for daily activities so your communication can take hold from the beginning.

Never Too Old To Learn

One of great thing about all the baby sign language products and procedures is the parents get to learn a new language too. The caregiver/nurturing bond is even further established as you learn together with your new baby. The folks at the website http://thesigningbaby.com have a whole line of flashcards, music CD's and ASL (American Sign Language) kits for parents to learn as they teach their child. Every parent loves the joy of hearing the first time their baby says "Momma" or "Daddy" but imagine the joy of seeing them sign it to you so much sooner and knowing you both acquired this skill together. As communication abilities in the infant grow the parents can also learn what it is they need or want without having to do all the guess work of figuring out what a pouty face or foot stomp indicates. Parents can learn from their child first hand and not run through all the guess work of care giving.

Creative Communication

Research over the last few years on infants and children who are taught to sign have been conclusive that signing children tend to have higher IQ scores, a larger vocabulary when they do learn to talk a capacity for dual languages and throw fewer tantrums. This last benefit seems to be because the child is not frustrated by their inability to communicate needs, wants and feelings. An entire line of baby DVD's called "Signing Time!" available on http://Amazon.com extends the range of learning from infancy through toddler age. The signs, combined with music work to build great communication and brain development.

So now when parents are counting up hands and feet, they can also be preparing their own hands to get ready to do some talking.