Being a speech therapist who truly advocates using signs with language delayed toddlers/preschoolers as well as those who have severe disabilities affecting their ability to speak AND being a mother who started using sign with her son when he was 6 months old, I have been frequently asked,

"WHY sign with your baby? WHY sign with my child? WHY sign?"

I have a feeling there are lurkers to this board, who have the same question(s).

I know of NO disadvantages of teaching your little one sign language. Recent studies have shown that by incorporating signs into your young baby's vocabulary you are actually helping them have greater vocabulary skills throughout life. Not saying you will create an Einstein by using sign with your child -- but you could be boosting his vocabulary IQ by a few points. A baby's ability to gesture develops before his ability to form words. In fact, I truly believe that baby's use gesture in an attempt to communicate way before they start to actually speak words. That being said, I also think we parents miss a lot of their gestures -- or see them but don't take them to mean anything. Think about it, don't we love when babies start to wave 'bye-bye'? or shake their head 'no'. Well, those are signs!

I didn't start this post to spout my beliefs/thoughts, but to share some articles on the subject:

Look Who's Talking in Sign Language

Teaching Sign to Babies

Look Who's Talking with their Hands

Article by the Editors of Sesame Street Magazine

Does baby sign help?

Please post any links/sites pertaining to this topic. Always good to have lots of information. Thanks! -Lynda