• Consider starting with the signs for three words that tend to be most important to babies: more, milk and eat. (To say ``more,'' tap the fingertips on your left hand and right hand together. ``Milk'' is made by forming a fist and making a squeezing motion, as if milking a cow's udder. And ``eat'' is signed by putting your fingers together and bringing your hand to your mouth.)

• Play games and sing songs that involve clapping or copying motions, such as Itsy Bitsy Spider.

• Don't expect results until the child is at least 8 months or older. Typically, babies can't start signing until they're able to mimic your actions by doing such things as waving bye-bye or pointing.

• Always be positive. Don't discipline children if they don't use their signs.

• Be consistent. Make sure all of the child's caregivers know the signs for words the child is using.

• Use repetition. Children learn better if they see signs and hear the corresponding words repeatedly.

• Once you pick a gesture for a word, stick with it. Don't flip-flop between different gestures for the same word, because this will cause confusion. (If you want to use the official signs used in American Sign Language, numerous books are available at libraries or book stores.)

By Cheryl Powell
http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/living/13110240.htm