Signing also is a great tool for meaningful interaction with babies, she said, noting that her 1-year-old daughter, Callie, could sign long before she could walk or talk.

"I really think this is nothing short of amazing, absolutely miraculous," she said. "We have insight into what she knows, understands, what she remembers, what she's interested in."

Thorn offers signing workshops in Raleigh for children age 6 months to 2 years that feature playful interaction between toddlers and their parents. Children carry bears or dolls to help make the connection between the spoken word, a sign and an object.

Mia Stephens, who is 21 months old, quickly picked up signs for egg and crackers at a recent workshop.

"It's the greatest thing we've ever done," said Mia's mother, Hannah Chio. "It's unlike a traditional class setting, where you just sit there and listen to the teacher. Here, they just play."

Fifteen-month old Evelyn Haar already recognizes 20 signs.

"It's a window into her world to see what she's thinking about, what excited her -- the ball, the cars, music -- all the fun things she thinks about during the day," Jennifer Haar said about her daughter.

Thorn said parents shouldn't be intimidated or feel they have to learn lots of signs first. She suggested starting with a half dozen signs and adding to them when a child starts signing back.

By NBC 17
http://www.nbc17.com/family/6470974/detail.html