She teaches sign language to babies -- and she has a lot of fun in the progress.

The class runs about 45 minutes and includes a different theme each week. For example, "mealtime week" teaches kids how to express eating preferences.

"Already most babies age six months or older know how to wave 'bye-bye'," Hoskinson says. "And that's a sign. So this is just an extension of that."

Hoskinson is the only instructor certified by the national Baby Signs program in North Central W.Va.

Critics say it slows down verbal development. After all, these children aren't deaf -- and communicating through sign language may delay verbal skills.

But Hoskinson points to a study by the National Institutes of Health. According to the Baby Signs Web site, research conducted by Dr. Linda Acredolo and Dr. Susan Goodwyn in California argues that sign language is a more active way of learning.

Several of Hoskinson's students agree.

"I think you need to teach them communication skills," says Susie Maxson, a proud grandparent who participates in the course. "He already -- at 16 months -- can tell me if he needs a diaper change."

Lydia Nichols originally brought her son to the class to develop social skills, but she says the results have been surprising.

"We were walking on the beach and I said, 'Oh look, Ben! How pretty!' And he looked up at the moon and signed," says Nichols. "It's amazing because you think that they're not learning and then they're signing."

The six-week program meets Thursday mornings at the Benedum Civic Center in downtown Bridgeport. It costs $125, which includes tuition, a parenting kit and an instructional video.

For more information, call 304-842-3933.

By Gabe Gutierrez
http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=6483