Teaching sign language to babies who don't have any hearing problems is becoming a popular trend.
Baby Sign Language
Some parents think that teaching your baby sign language can help them communicate with their baby before he can talk. So if your baby is fussy because he is thirsty and wants to drink some milk, then he may be able to sign that he wants milk, even before he can talk.
Skeptics would say that it usually isn't too hard to figure out what your baby wants by considering your baby's schedule, nonverbal communication without signs, and the context of the situation -- whether he wants milk, more to eat, or to get out of his high chair.
Benefits of Baby Sign Language
Articles often point to research that shows that signing with your baby promotes brain development and increased IQ points, but all seem to have some limitation. Either they are small studies, with only a handful of infants, they show small differences, or the research was never actually published in a journal.
For example, the research that infant sign language could raise IQ points was only presented at a conference and not published in a journal. Also, the study does not seem to be randomized or blinded and was done by people who have a financial interest in the baby signs movement.
Trying Baby Sign Language
Still, there are likely no downsides to trying baby sign language and it doesn't seem to delay a baby's first spoken words. And since it can be a fun thing to do, feel free to give it a try. Keep in mind that you should likely wait until your baby is about six months old though.
Sources:
Tiny hands talking. Aiming for higher IQs and fewer tantrums, parents are teaching 'baby signing' to infants. Kelly K - US News World Rep - 21-OCT-2002; 133(15): 66.
The longterm impact of symbolic gesturing during infancy on IQ at age 8. Acredolo and Goodwyn.
