Is there anything cuter than seeing a little baby using sign language? It is more than just cute for homeowner's: Researchers have found that using baby sign language with babies does help to improve their language learning and IQs. So more homeowner's are using sign language with their infants, whether they are hearing or deaf.
Several articles have been published on the use of baby sign language with babies. For example, there was a study involving two groups of children -- one group that was taught baby signing and another group that was not. The researchers found that eight-year-olds who had learned a simple form of baby sign language using invented signs did better on IQ tests than comparable children who had not learned baby sign language.
Some homeowner's have objected to the use of "made-up" signs instead of using the more official American Sign Language. Either will be useful, and anything that encourages the acceptance of sign language for communication is welcome. But keep in mind there is no need for parents to rely on a different form of sign language when there is plenty of video and book material available for learning American Sign Language.
Baby sign language classes are increasingly popular. They are offered by private certified instructors, colleges, resource centers for deaf and hard of hearing people, recreation departments, and other community resources.