I think it is a great idea and wish I had started sooner! Friends of mine have been doing it since around 6 mths and he knows a few things but is still learning (he is nearly 12 mths) Iz has just recently started doing these hand signals for everything, it means "give me water" "pick me up" "get me off my bike" "I dropped it and don't know where it is" etc!! It is really cute and great because it is another way she can communicate with us and her language skills are a bit behind for her age! Good luck with it - I might have to go check out our local library!
Hi Ladies, I'm very interested in this topic as I've put myself through a few sign language classes - just something I've always been interested in. I mentioned to someone in the class that I would love to teach my baby to sign (currently ttc #1) and was told that she'd heard this can itself lead to delayed speech. I would love to hear what the experiences have been like first hand and not through what someone has just "heard".
Studies show that signing alongside talking (you *always* say the word when giving the sign) actually helps with language acquisition (hence the use of makaton to assist with language development with those kids with severe delays). There is a bilingual signing-English preschool in Adelaide that is well attended by both deaf and hearing kids. My auntie taught there for a while - and the signing is considered a tool for further language development and not the other way round.
Thanks Marydean. Now, see that, to me, makes sense. I have worked with autistic children where signing became a very important means of communication and along with signing we would always encourage speech which we eventually were able to get out of some. I feel that the speech would have been far more delayed had signing not opened them being able to communicate in the first instance.
signing is fantastic! I am definitely a supporter of teaching baby signing.....it is rather cute too as both my girls have put their own spin on the signs I agree that it actually enhances the vocab when you teach by signing and saying the word together. Its also been very useful when encouraging DD#1 to remember her manners.....mummy or daddy subtly signs "thankyou" and DD#1 pipes up, 'thank you!' hehe And for us, we have always taught "please and thank you" not 'ta' and DD naturally went from signing these words to saying them correctly......rather amusing when family asked for something or gave her something and said to her, "ta" and she'd look at them wondering what they meant! Teehee! - so again, I agree it boosts their vocab
My friend started doing this when her bub was quite young (eg. "all done" at the end of a meal, "more", etc). By the time she was 18 months, she knew 75 words!!!! (either spoken or signed - not 75 signs). Anyway, it has definitely inspired me to do likewise with DS. We have started with "all done" after a meal, but I'm planning to introduce others when he's about 8 months.
I signed with DD from about 6 months onwards. By 15 months she had about 40 (spoken) words. At 26 months she has around 300, learns about 4 a day and speaks in up-to 9 word sentences. It does NOT delay speech!
We did "no" "yes" "hungry" "drink" "more" "mum" "dad" and various things like "teddy" "doll" "baby" "apple" "orange" came later. I used makaton, as i felt it'd have the widest application (she can communicate with deaf kids because makaton is based on BSL and speech-delayed kids because their carers/teachers tend to use makaton now) and we still learn songs with the makaton actions on occasion.
Since about 18 months she hardly uses the signs, but sometimes when she's very ill or tired she'll come and sign to me "ill mama. hug." Breaks my heart when i know she's too tired or ill to talk, but SO great she can still get her needs met
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I agree that it actually enhances the vocab when you teach by signing and saying the word together. Its also been very useful when encouraging DD#1 to remember her manners.....mummy or daddy subtly signs "thankyou" and DD#1 pipes up, 'thank you!' hehe 
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