yes it works! The thing is I would recomend going to the classes if you have never signed because it is a differnt way of communicating.

I am double lucky because I work with a non verbal child in my home (respite worker) and Felix is exposed to signing every second weekend, he mimics her signs..she uses makaton which is alomost identical to the baby signing but a little more complex..

I have been quite lazy and he could have known more signs than he does already, but he knows teeth, eat, and bath..I am trying to work on poo and wee in advance for toilet training.

With this sign lauguange you use verbal language as well, it is like a reinforcement for us, and for a baby they can learn to express themselves. It is hard at first to start because you wonder if they are learning or ever going to use it, but once they start waving they are really ready..Felix will copy signs I show him, but getting him to sign as a request is our goal, he signs if I say the word for bath, teeth, eat..but hasn't used it as a request, I'm going to start being more intensive about it..

Anyhow I would recomende the classes also it is fanatstic that our mothers group is dong it together because then you can practivce as a group and learn together..it's harder when you are at the shops and signing, you'd probably feel self concious