Words by the Handful

Words by the Handful is a baby sign language educational company. We work to make baby sign language easy and accessible for home and early educational environments. We create books, instructional cards, teaching methods – all based on the Words by the Handful philosophy.

Words by the Handful’s Philosophy: Sign language – even just a handful of signs for key words – can make a significant impact on the life of a baby and the adults in that baby’s life.

Human beings are wired for language, communication, and relationship. Babies are small human beings who learn language and how to manage themselves from the large human beings in their lives. Babies master the physical requirements of producing speech long after they master the ability to understand, and well after they develop the desire and need to use speech.

Before they can speak in words, babies will naturally use gestures and non-word vocal sounds to get their point across – – to communicate. While sometimes eventually successful, these communication attempts are often an exercise in frustration for both child and adult(s).

However, when babies and toddlers – not deaf*, but hearing children – are taught systematized non-verbal, visual language – sign language – they can communicate very effectively, and reduce some of the many frustrating moments of the life of every family with a young baby.

* Deaf children face a different path for learning communication skills – – some use ASL (initially similar to the use of ASL as baby sign language in hearing children) – – some use hearing assistance devices. Words by the Handful materials and methods focus on the use of sign language with hearing children.