In the United States, teaching sign language to non-signing families to communicate with their hearing infants and toddlers was developed by Linda Acredolo, professor of psychology at the University of California and Susan Goodwyn, professor of psychology at California State University. Their research started in 1982.  In addition to helping babies learn to talk and jumpstarting their intellectual development, a number of very important social-emotional benefits were also revealed.

Acredolo and Goodwyn found that signing with hearing babies:

• reduces frustration  and other aggressive behaviours.
• helps parents and caregivers be more observant and responsive.
• builds stronger bond between babies and their parents/caregivers.
• provides understanding with what's going on in your child's mind
• promotes positive emotional development.
• boosts babies' self-confidence and builds self-esteem.

Joseph Garcia, an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter and a leading proponent of use of ASL in communicating with infants and toddlers, began with his graduate thesis in 1986, an analysis of the role sign language could play in early childhood language.  His research indicated babies who are exposed to signs regularly and consistently at six to seven months of age can begin using signs effectively by the eighth or ninth month.  Garcia started the business "Sign With Your Baby" after watching a 10-month-old child communicate in ASL with his deaf parents. It's now being used by parents/caregivers. ASL for your baby and toddler will help your them communicate and develop language skills at a much earlier age.

Once considered useful only for the deaf or hard-of-hearing, research has shown that sign language is becoming a powerful tool to promote early communication for all. 

ASL is a jump-start to the language system.  Children who learn American sign language as babies speak more and understand more by 15 months old and that difference remains in later years. Children who learn sign language have tested a year ahead of other children. The data suggest that baby signing may spark other critical thinking skills as well.

Our Learning Guide to Baby Sign Language will provide you with a printable dictionary and flash cards to learn American Sign Language for Baby. click here