When I first started reading about teaching babies to sign I thought that it was a great idea. I thought that if you could have your baby communicating on a very basic level then things would be less frustrating for them and you. But, having seen a few people succesfully teach their baby to sign, then see that their speech is now way behind (causing all sorts of other issues), I've decided that I'm glad that we did not attempt it. I suppose that there are benefits but I've also seen first hand how it causes harm.

I used basic sign language with both of my kids (now 3 and 1 1/2). We used basic signs for more, drink, change, eat, nap. It helps in the 1-2 year period when they know what they want and don't know how to say it. So they sign eat and then I can guess foods, instead of wondering if they need a diaper, etc. We didn't go to any special classes for it, I just looked up a couple of signs (I got a baby sign language book for a present) and used them consistently. My older son stopped signing when he could talk, but now understands the baby. I definitely feel it helps the baby know about communication and so that they don't feel crying is the only mode of communication.

We used the signing times dvds with both of my children. They are wonderfully done, by the parent of a deaf child, and we enjoyed them a lot. Both of my children learned quite a few signs when very young (from me, who learned from the dvd) which was a lot of fun, and actually quite helpful. My son was quite an early talker, and my daughter was right on schedule. I find it hard to believe this type of thing could cause harm, at worst it is kind of gimmicky, but for us it was fun, and eased some early pre-talking frustration.

Baby sign language is a wonderful communication tool for some infants and toddlers. It is just another way to communicate with others. Babies and toddlers learn how to gesture and imitate gestures before verbal language has developed. As a parent and SLP of a toddler, I had success with teaching my child to produce signs to communicate his wants and needs. He now is communicating using words and sentences.

As a parent and as a teacher who has good sign language skills, I taught my children to sign early on. Along with those signs my husband and I talked and read books to them. They started to use signs way before they would have been talking. Each one was able to communicate their wants and needs and each one spoke early on. The signs were dropped, but it is funny, they do remember, even as adults, those first basic signs. I question the person who said there were problems with the young children who learned some signs and then developed speech issues. Maybe they would have had speech issues anyway and at least they were given signs as a way to communicate.

My sister gave me a book on signing that I've found quite interesting, and I think we'll try with our little one (due soon, so we have a while longer to go), but I can't imagine spending more than the $15.00 she did on the book. Baby sign classes - that seems excessive. Even DVDs seems like they might be more than we need...

I first bought books to learn sign language, and it is much easier to learn watching them done by someone. There are some great internet sites that have video clips of the signs (especially good for the more uncommon signs that aren't covered in the DVDs).

I had the first six Signing Times DVDs for my son, and thoroughly enjoyed them. However, I'm not confident they were all that beneficial. I could already understand him for most things even though he couldn't talk, just because I spent so much time with him. I would not say he was advanced or behind in his speech or communication skills.

We did take two sign language classes offered by a friend who is fluent, but the DVDs were ultimately more effective because of the regular reinforcement and interaction we'd have while watching.

I would be skeptical that it did harm. Not being an expert myself, I'd still have to agree with Barbara (above) that if communication or speech issues arose, it's likely they would have arisen regardless.

We used sign language with both our kids. My older child did watch the Signing Time videos but I think he learned more from me signing when I said certain words. I think signing is great and highly recommend it to anyone.

I agree with the parents who commented that using sign language is a useful tool to facilitate early communication with a baby and small toddler who would otherwise be limited to crying or indecipherable noises and gestures.

I taught sign language to both of my boys one who is 13 now and doing great and the other is 2. They both learned to sign quite quickly, and they both were able to communicate in 3 word sentences by the time they were one. My smallest child is a great communicator and uses both sign language and speaks well beyond what would be considered normal for his age. Its been my experience that teaching a child sign language facilitates verbal communication and begats confidence.