Babies can understand what we are saying to them long before they are able to speak. And it is very frustrating to them when we can not understand what they are trying to communicate to us. By using sign language, parents and babies are able to talk to each other much earlier. Also, babies who sign are advanced in actual speech development.

Several of my friends have used signing with their babies. My husband and I are in the process of learning some signs now, so that we can begin signing to our son when he is about 6 months old. (He's 4 1/2 months now.)

I have read that you should sign as much as possible during the day and to do it while you are saying the corresponding words. Your child will start to pick up on what you are doing very quickly and may be able to respond with their own signs by the time they are 8-9 months old. They will continue to get better at it and add more words as they get older.

Most babies I know have learned the signs for "more", "all done", "please" and "milk" (or "bottle") first.

It is really so cute to watch. You can take a class - Babies R Us and Gymboree offer them, or you can buy a signing book or DVD. Have fun!