We did baby sign with our kids and have loved it. One thing that I would recommend, is that you make sure that the sign language is ASL. Then your children are learning an actual language instead of just random hand motions. The one thing that we laugh about is that we taught them to say 'please' which is a hand motion circling around the chest, well, the boys actually rub their chests and this makes for interesting meal times since they tend to be such messy eaters. So, food tends to get rubbed into shirts, but there are worse things in life. Sign language shows how much a child understands before the speech stage. I was an ASL student, and would love to help you narrow down what signs are good to start with if you need that.

I just ordered a book as well, "Baby Signs". It was recommended to me by a friend who said it was very helpful with her soon to be 2 year old daughter. I have heard great things about using signs with babies to help them to communicate before they are able to speak, which cuts down on their crying since they are able to express some of their feelings and desires. It is also supposed to help them to learn to talk earlier. So we'll see how it goes. My friend started signs with her daughter at 9 months, so I figured I should start reading up on it. If you got a different book than we got, let us know how you like it!

thanks for the tips sember. the book I ordered apparently it's a hybrid of ASL and made-up-for-baby stuff. we'll see how it goes, and I'm sure we'll tweak it for our needs. I'm more interested in the methodology from the book than the signs, as we can of course do whatever signs we think are best, and we are wanting to do ASL if we can.

leenz, that appears to be the one we're getting. since I'm a cheapskate, I got the older edition off half.com

I wasn't too diligent with teaching Josiah signs because he began talking so quickly. But the funny thing is that now that he has nailed when to say 'please' he pats at his chest which I knew was the sign (sorta) for please. I haven't taught him this at all! funny. I do believe its child specific and I was blessed with a great talker, it's made life easier. Lynn has been super diligent with Gid and he uses quite a few signs, I've had to understand them from time to time. The Perkins have to book if you want to borrow it, I had it forever so I'm sure they wouldn't mind. Yeah, I'm tacky offering someone else's book :)Media mail is cheap like $1.30!

I've been using this website for quick reference: www.signwithme.com. I can't remember anything beyond one or two signs myself, so the website is enough for me at this point (Livia is 11 months). Post again sometime to let us know if you like the book.

that site is great rebecca! just what I was hoping for. thanks.

I had a friend who taught her two children sign language before they were talking, they learned it quickly and were able to communicate early with her. but she did notice a side effect, her children were not intereseted in the next step, actually talking, they almost refused to talk they just wanted to sign. she decided not to use it with her next child and it was talking a lot sooner and clearer before the others...what does this mean, nothing. all children are different, and they all learn different. i think it is a good idea and as it sounds like your child is immitating rather well already (about the dog), so go for it!