Sign Language for Babies

When I married my husband he was the custodial parent of his five year old twin boys. They both happened to be deaf and relied on American Sign Language to communicate. When we had children their first language was Sign Language because they were exposed to it everyday and it was easy for them to pick up individual signs. At that time no one ever talked about it for hearing babies but it just seemed obvious to us. They had a way to communicate long before they could talk. My daughter had around thirty signs she used regularly.

About four years ago I was approached by the Deaf Children’s Society here in Vancouver to teach what they were calling “Baby Sign”. I had taught Introductory Sign Language for many years but had never taught it to hearing babies. They introduced me to Joseph Garcia’s program Sign With Your Baby which had been running for a few years. I decided I would use my Early Childhood Education background and knowledge of Sign Language to develop a program of my own. (I have been signing since the mid ’70’s.) I asked my step-son Roger if he would illustrate 80 signs for me that I had made into a book. His illustrations are clear and easy to follow.

Since my initial introduction to the whole notion of signing with hearing babies, I have met and worked with hundreds of parents who use Sign Language with their babies. For most it has been a God send because it reduces the frustration level of both parent and child, enormously. It’s also very empowering for a baby or toddler to be able to identify pictures in a book or tell you what he/she wants.

If you are a parent who signs with your baby, have a look at the baby clothes I have for sale . Click on the “Apparel” page. You’ll have a great conversation piece when people see a hand gesture on your baby’s shirt.