Baby Talk - Learn 2 Sign - My First Baby Signs

My First Baby Signs illustrates nine commonsense gestures to help babies communicate before they can talk.

My First Baby Signs

From Publishers Weekly my first baby signs

My First Baby Signs by Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn, with photos by Penny Gentieu, illustrate nine commonsense gestures to help babies with nonverbal communication. For example, a throwing motion indicates a ball, while opening and closing the palms symbolizes a book. Ages 6 mos.-3 yrs.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

It's as easy as waving bye-bye!

Babies have a lot to say, even before they can actually speak. Baby Signs are simple gestures that allow babies and toddlers to communicate what they see, what they need, and even how they feel. Research has shown that Baby Signs decrease frustration and tantrums and help your baby talk sooner.

About the Author
Drs. Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn discovered Baby Signs in 1982 and conducted the pioneering scientific research for the National Institute of Health that demonstrated the language and cognitive benefits of Baby Signing. Linda is Professor of Psychology at the University of CA, Davis. Susan is Professor of Psychology and Child Development at the California State University. They are the authors of Baby Signs published by Contemporary Books. Both authors live and work in Northern California.

"People have asked me, "Why do you want your babies to learn sign language? They aren't deaf, are they?" Anyone who has children between the ages of 8 and 20 months can tell you that babies understand a lot more than they can express in words. While all they may say is "ma-ma-ma-ma" or "da-da-da-da," they comprehend so much of the language and activity going on around them! Watch the way your baby plays - watch the way she uses her hands and facial expressions to repeat the things you've done with her when you played the day before. Does your baby wave "bye-bye?" She's already using sign language to communicate. Watch the way your baby responds when the phone rings at your house. Sometimes baby will put his hand to his cheek and pretend to say a wordless "Hello," right? That's the sign for "telephone." Babies can "talk" with their bodies before they can use verbal communication. These terrific little books provide tools for babies to use in communicating, months before the words come forth! Sometimes it is easy to see that baby is frustrated by the inability to communicate a desire - imagine if your 12 month old could express, "I'm crying because I want some more to drink," in two simple signs, "more + drink."

I recommend this entire series of books: the "Bedtime" book gives words for "sleep," "book," "bath," etc., so you can "talk" through your bedtime routine. The mealtime book provides words for "drink," "eat," "bib," etc. Each page contains a photograph of the object or action being described, and a happy baby performing the sign. We like the page telling how to say, "All gone." It shows an empty (upside-down) baby bottle and a plate with nothing but "crumbs." My baby twins understood right away what "all gone" meant!

I have five children, ages 1-12, and even my older children use signs to communicate with me. For example, when we are in a quiet place, or when I am in a conversation with another adult, my older children show me the sign for "restroom" when they need to go, get an acknowledging nod from me, then slip away quietly and respectfully, without interrupting a single "beat" of my conversation. (*Note: The sign for "restroom" is not included in these baby board books.)

Even if your family chooses not to use sign as a supplemental mode of communication, these sturdy little board books are simple, clean, and engaging for young toddlers who love to look at other busy babies and learn new words." - Stacie Reynae vonHolten

Baby Sign Language Book

My First Baby Signs