I'll be quite honest...the extent of what I know about baby signing is that they can pick up on it and communicate before they are able to speak. I saw Meet the Fockers, and I thought it was just incredible watching those babies sign! I'd like to learn about baby signing. At what age can we start trying? Any good books I should check out from the local library? TIA!

Tracy

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Welcome to the forum, Tracy!

Babies generally start signing back to their parents at 8-12 months so most programs suggest starting at 7-9 months. I disaree with most of them...LOL I think no child is too young or too old to start! If you start from birth adding a sign here and there, you will be more apt to sign when your baby is ready to sign back.

Babies learn to sign the same way they learn to speak by exposure. The more you talk to your baby the sooner and better she will learn to vocalize. Likewise, the more you sign the more she will sign.

I personally feel that the Sign With Your Baby complete learning kit is the best deal out there. For about $50 you get a book, DVD or VHS, Quick Reference guide and a bumper sticker.

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I don't use baby signs, I use regular ASL but I started signing with both of my kids since birth. My dd has a large vocabulary and signs quite a bit. It's truly amazing. Good luck.

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GREAT POINT!!! ASL is better IMO because it is standardized and a real language. Your baby can use it in his/her daycare if you find one that signs, and he/she can use it in the future with deaf peers/classmates. It is also VERY helpful in the future for communicating with your child when you can't speak out loud. i.e. Church, graduations, restaurants, etc.

And Sign With Your Baby uses REAL ASL.

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She wouldn't have anyone else to sign to. I'm very anti-daycare, and our sitter is a friend of our's whom only has her own child and Tori to watch. (Well, will once I am off maternity leave that is.) Down here there is a school for the deaf so she'll never have deaf classmates either. If we are the only ones she'll be signing with, is it worth it to try to teach her?

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Tracy,

Even if there is a school for the deaf in the area, there will likely be deaf or hearing impaired students in her school. Not all deaf students go to deaf schools. Besides that there are thousands of families that sign out there.

But more than that signing with your baby will make the terrible twos the terrific twos. You will reduce frustration because she will be able to communicate her needs, wants and desires.

But don't take my word for it...ask the signing moms out there.

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