Baby sign-language.

I went down the signing route with my EJ as he was and still is delayed in his speech develop so thought a thread about sign-language would be useful.

I went to local baby and toddler groups that taught and used sign-language. I can't explain how it work but even though EJ signed and still does sign he also says the word he is signing and since we started signing he has started picking words up a lot quicker and says them almost perfectly the first time

as to i feel i could understand each and every sign of my kid when he couldnt even speak.
it is not very tough for parents to understand the language of the kid just a little presence of mind is needed.

I've been really curious about baby sign language. My daughter just turned one and she is already getting frustrated when she can't communicate. For those people who have done it, do you feel it was helpful and worth the time it takes? I've heard that it can delay speech, but I've also heard that it can improve a child's speech. What has your experience been? What were your favorite resources for learning and teaching baby signing?

I used a few signs with my son when he was a baby. Words like "more" and "all done" were really helpful in teaching him that he can use communication to get things he wants (or doesn't want). Plus, it is much easier for kids to use their motor skills to sign than using speech to talk (at first), so it can really help improve their communication. I have't read anything reliable that would suggest using sign would delay speech.

Well I am not sure if there is anything that is common to all babies, and it would be interesting if there was, but I do know that my little guy definitely had some signals for the foods that he wanted. I have a vivid memory of him making a little circle with his hands and me struggling to figure out what it was, and then I saw the Cheerios box and I knew.

I have wanted my LO to do sign language from the very beginning. My best friend 's husband, parents and one of her sisters are all deaf, so I grew up around sign language. Now, I am not fluent by any means, but I think I know more than the average person, and can understand quite a lot. So, since my daughter will be growing up around my best friend's family as well I really want her her be able to communicate easily. Not to mention my best friend has a son that is just 9 months younger than my LO.

So, I have tried teaching her signs since she was born. The first sign she learned with milk...naturally. She is now 15 months old and knows milk, please, thank you, more, and all done. I try to use sign a lot in conversation, but I know sometimes I forget, so I am really thinking about getting some baby sign DVDs. I know there shouldn't be any screen time at this age, but I mean come on....there are times when I really just need a few minutes when I don't have someone attached to me (like 5:00 when it is time to make dinner, but she is already crabby and ready for dinner and bed). So, I am guilty of turning the TV on for a quick babysitter. So, I figured, if I got some signing DVDs, at least she would be watching something truly useful.

Although my LO isn't talking much yet (I also think she is a little behind, although the pediatrician says that signed words count as words too, and by that logic she is doing fine), I am hoping that by the continuing learning to communicate through sign that any day now she will start spitting out words.