The complete idiot's guide to baby sign language

Part 1. Baby Sign Language Basics

1. What's All the Fuss About?

Exactly What Is Baby Sign Language?

A Simple and Natural Way to Communicate

Why Teach Sign Language to a Hearing Baby?

The Biggest Misconception

What Will Your Baby Be Able to Tell You?

How Is All This Possible?

Can All Babies Do This?

Is This Appropriate for Deaf Babies, Too?

Back to the Beginning

The Prime Mover

The Doctors in the House

What's the Deal with Dunstan?

Why Listen to Me?

2. How Your Baby (and You) Will Benefit

A Cinematic Approach

Added Star Power

Exactly How Your Baby Will Benefit

Emotional Benefits

Social Benefits

Language Benefits

Cognitive Benefits

What's In It for Parents?

Bragging About Your Bilingual Baby

3. Why and How It Works

Your Baby's Amazing Brain

You Gotta Have Connections

That's Some Responsibility!

Don't Panic!

The Sign Language Connection

It's All in the Timing

When to Introduce Signs

Manual Dexterity

Jump-Starting the Process

When to Expect Results

Signing Variables

Don't Give Up!

Part 2. Ready, Set, Sign!

4. Introducing Baby's First Signs

Traditional vs. Express Method

Sign Language Categories

The First Three Signs: MORE, EAT, and MILK

The Sign for MORE

Techniques to Teach MORE

The Sign for EAT

Techniques to Teach EAT

The Sign for MILK

Techniques to Teach MILK

Teaching Other Important Signs

The Sign for HURT/PAIN

Techniques to Teach HURT/PAIN

The Sign for HELP

Techniques to Teach HELP

The Sign for DIAPER CHANGE

Techniques to Teach DIAPER CHANGE

Looking for Signs of Progress

Recognizing Early Attempts

The Ten Signing Commandments

5. All Aboard the Baby Sign Language Express

How Fast Is Fast?

What's the Big Deal About 11 Months?

Why the Big Rush?

Are There Any Guarantees?

Baby Sign Language Express Method: Step-by-Step

Step 1. Circle the Calendar

Step 2. Do Your Homework

Step 3. Do Some Handiwork

Step 4. Recruit Your Volunteers

Week 1. Introducing the First Sign

Week 2. Staying Focused and On Track

Be On the Lookout!

When Your Baby Makes His First Sign

No Sign of a Sign?

Introducing Additional Signs

Introducing the Sign for EAT

Introducing the Sign for MILK

Deciding Where to Go from Here

Assessing the Situation

What Else Is There to Learn?

An Important Note for Parents-in-Waiting

6. Increasing Your Baby's Sign Language Vocabulary

Helpful Signs to Teach

The Sign for DON'T TOUCH

Techniques to Teach DON'T TOUCH

The Sign for GENTLE TOUCH

Techniques to Teach GENTLE TOUCH

Where Do You Go from Here?

Introducing Additional Signs

Identifying Signing Opportunities

Creating Your Own Opportunities

Following Your Baby's Lead

Being Prepared

Your Baby's Own Inventions

Pacing Yourself

Combining Signs

Signing in Sentences

Your Little Conversationalist

7. Staying the Course

Staying Motivated

Motivational Tips and Tactics

Finding the Time for All of This

A Day in the Life of Baby Signing Parents

But What If I Work Outside the Home?

Initiate the Draft!

Dealing With Naysayers

Do's, Don'ts, and Don't-Even-Think-About-It's

Dictionary Listing

Baby Sign Language Dictionary

Beginning Signs

Food and Drink

Good Manners

Feelings and Emotions

Behavior and Safety

Activities and Games

Clothing

Family

Independence

Outdoors

Animals

Bathtime

Potty Training

Transportation

Places to Go

Miscellaneous

Part 3. The Advanced Signer

8. Sign Language for Toddlers

Why It's a Good Idea

Information Overload

Top Ten Reasons to Sign with a Toddler

Don't Take My Word for It

Your Job as Verbal Translator

Some Advice Before Getting Started

Your Plan of Action

What About Talking?

9. Learning by Example

Teaching Categories

Food and Drink

Tips and Techniques

Good Manners

Tips and Techniques

Behavior and Safety

Tips and Techniques

Activities and Games

Tips and Techniques

Feelings and Emotions

Tips and Techniques

Animals

Tips and Techniques

10. Potty Training and Sign Language

How Sign Language Helps with Potty Training

An Earlier Start

It's About Being Ready

The Readiness Checklist

Potty Talk

Let's Get This Potty Started!

Tips and Techniques

The Reward System

11. Look Who's Talking!

Keep on Signing

Why He'd Rather Speak Than Sign

An Interview with a Signing Baby

How It Will All Play Out

Taking Corrective Action

You and Your Baby's Secret Signs

Dealing with Speech and Language Development Concerns

The Late-Talker Quiz

What to Do and When to Do It

Sign Language and Children with Special Needs

Appendixes

A. Dad's Corner

B. Questions I'm Asked the Most

C. Fun and Games

D. Resources

E. Baby Sign Language Journal