Speaking as a SLP, baby signing does NOT impede language development. I did it with my son, he signed his first word at 9 months ('duck') and 2 wks later started saying and signing 'more' on a consistent basis. Signing helped him have a way to request his basic needs. He never was one to have tons of tantrums -- not saying he had none, but he didn't have many. I truly think by giving him a way to communicate at such an early age helped decrease those tantrums. That is a mix of MHO as well as my professinoal opinion.

Research shows that baby signs DO NOT hinder language development.

To be honest, we, as parents, all get excited when our baby waves for the first time. Isn't waving a sign? Once your wee one starts signing, start truly truly paying attention to what they do with their hands, for they may start making signs of their own. My son did. At an early age -- want to say 11 or 12 months he was making up signs and once I figured them out, he was so excited to have another word to use with mommy and daddy.

Enough of my ramblings for the evening....

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