Is baby sign language a new fad or only meant for the most elite wanting their children to practice a language before they learn to speak?

According to signingbaby.com, people have been signing with their babies for years.

The biggest reason is to fulfill the desire to know more of what is going on in their baby's mind. Questions may arise such as, what do they need? What do they want? What do they think about and remember?

Infants that begin sign language many times have opportunities over infants that do not learn the skill, experts said.

According to the Web site, some of the benefits include:

- Communication of wants and needs to their caregivers at an early age
- They may have an earlier understanding of the English language
- They may learn to speak earlier
- Could have an above-average ability later in life to learn a new language
- They may possibly have a higher intelligence quotient (I.Q.)

Sign language might be a good start for your baby to communicate. You can begin by trying simple words like "bottle" or "apple."

Instructions on how you can learn to sign simple words are available on numerous Web sites, through instructional tapes and videos.

The Web site chronicles steps to teaching infant sign language. For example, when giving your baby a bottle, choose to begin with the "milk" sign, or as you're spooning baby cereal in the general direction of your baby's mouth, begin with an "eat" sign.

Use the sign before or during the activity, and show your baby the sign every time you do the activity. Consistency is the easiest way for the baby to remember.

Use your chosen sign until your baby begins to sign back to you, then choose another sign and start the process over again, but instructors sayd don't drop the sign your baby already knows.

Source: http://www.clickondetroit.com/health/5217206/detail.html