Teaching sign language to babies is popular in some circles. Advocates believe that learning to communicate with hand signals helps a baby "talk" with his or her parents before he or she has the ability to form words. This can reduce frustration for both baby and parent.

Some signing instructors maintain that babies who can communicate with their parents early are motivated to speak earlier and more. Signing may even boost vocabulary and, eventually, reading skills, they say. Most signing programs recommend beginning the practice between 7 and 12 months.

Many resources can help you introduce your baby to signing. A respected website that's not affiliated with any product or program is Signing With Your Baby, which offers a discussion group, tips, and links to online signing dictionaries. There are two classic books on the topic: Sign With Your Baby (Northlight, 1999), by educator and interpreter Joseph Garcia, is based on American Sign Language, which is used by the deaf. The best-seller Baby Signs (McGraw-Hill, 1996), by developmental psychologists Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn, encourages parents to make up their own signs.

But if spending the time (or the money on books, flash cards, or classes) to learn to teach signing doesn't appeal to you, your baby won't be at any disadvantage. Generations of babies have mastered speaking without ever being taught a single sign. In fact, some experts believe that most babies make "signs" as their first words on their own, with their natural gestures for things like drinking milk (smacking their lips) or being lifted (raising their arms). Talking to your baby, responding to him or her, and spending time together all facilitate normal language development.

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