Some local little ones are learning it as a second language, first.

22 month old Austin is still learning how to talk but he`s already got one language under his belt, sign language.

"I did it when he was like five months old in a high chair. Within a couple months he was doing it back to me. It was awesome," said Brenda Slagle, Austin’s grandmother.

Through Babies are Signing, little ones learn to sign as young as six-months old. They pick it up through videos at home and in a class setting.

"We show the sign, show the object and try to connect the two," said Molly Furman, a baby sign language specialist.

Parents said even though babies can`t talk until they`re about a year old, they still have a lot to say.

"She is communicating in her own way and once the signs are learned, that would only bridge the communication gap," said Julia Shillingburg, a mother.

Seven- month- old Kylie is able to get a jumpstart on communicating with her mom through signing, but the benefits don`t stop there. She could actually do better once she starts school.

"IQ levels are accelerated 10 to 12 points, even 20 some research says," said Furman.

The moms here said some parents are concerned that if they`re babies learn to sign they`ll grow up not talking, but it`s actually the other way around.

They said because words are said as they are signed, babies can actually start talking earlier than average.

In fact, the only concern may be parents picking up the language quick enough to keep up with their kids.

Allegany County Health Department employees will go to a workshop on baby sign language this fall. Classes start up in august.

For more information call Molly Furman at 301-689-5803 at Babies R Signing.

By Sinu Abraham