Baby Sign Language. Easy!
Your baby can “talk” before their mouths can form words.
It’s true!
Baby Sign Language lets your hearing child communicate before they can speak.
Words by the Handful makes it easy!
I want to know more….
If you’re just hearing about Baby Sign Language, take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions to learn how Baby Sign Language offers relief for parents, advantages for your baby, and the kinds of things your baby thinks about before he can tell you.
Can I start with just a few signs?
Ready to start, but not sure you’re up for a full course? No problem! The Words by the Handful Set of Children’s Board Books is a great place to start. Read aloud to your child, learn the 5 signs in each of the four books. In doing so, you teach the signs to your baby and reinforce them - all in fun, colorful, age-appropriate books.
I can’t wait - Let’s get started now!
Can’t wait to bring Baby Sign Language into your home? Maybe you’ve even started with a few already? Jump right in and let’s give you the signs you’ll need to open your baby’s world - and make it easy for you, too!
How Does Baby Sign Language Work?
Using Baby Sign Language with your hearing baby, who is not yet able to talk, gives baby the ability to communicate.
Mimi teaches you signs, how, why, and when to use them.
Parents use the signs with their babies.
Babies begin to recognize, and eventually use the signs they need to “say” what they want.
Baby Sign Language doesn’t replace language - it reinforces spoken language, and helps smooth frustration until baby masters speech: say it when you sign it!
Hear it from Moms
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We loved your class!!! Great memories as our first class out of the house and I swear it made being a parent easier! Thank you!
Annie - Mom
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Just a quick note, this weekend I was telling my family how grateful I am that we taught E the sign for "thunder", at such young age, so that when she hears it she isn't scared. Instead, she makes the sign and says "boom, boom, boom". It was very useful as we were moving this weekend and her world was not very stable…the storms could have done her in!!
Stephanie - Mom
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On Tuesday, Little S was only doing one sign- more. On Friday that was no longer the case! He started doing milk in those few days (opening and closing his hand while having his bottles) and he started doing dog! We were playing in the backyard, and the neighbor’s dog barked. I asked “what do you hear?” (not expecting him to even respond- I just talk to him all day). What do you know. He looked at me, tapped his leg twice, and then went back to what he was doing. For the last three months I’ve been feeling like a crazy person tapping and snapping and thought he just didn’t get it. Boy was I wrong. His dad told me that while they were watching TV this morning a dog came on and Samuel again tapped his leg twice. So tell your moms to just keep doing it. The kids definitely understand, and when the kids are ready to sign back they will!
Kelly - Mom
The Approach
Collaborative
Mimi works together with parents to help bring Baby Sign Language into the home. Like many things, Baby Sign Language works best when you use it more. Mimi helps families make signing a regular part of baby’s early months.
Interactive
Moms, Dads, Grandparents, Siblings, Caretakers can all get involved in the signing habit. A baby’s first language is called the “mother tongue.” Baby Sign Language helps more family members get involved in early language development. The more the merrier!
FAQs
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Signing with babies helps relieve frustration and stress of the first couple of years of a baby’s life. Their brains are developing rapidly, but their vocal skills take months to come on line. Even a few signs - just a handful - can make a big difference.
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Giving babies the ability to express needs and wants at an early age helps them understand the give and take of interactions. Early language depends on frequent “serve and return” speaking interactions. Babies who sign are able to serve and return effectively even before they make full words.
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Before baby can talk, sometimes it is very hard to understand what them - since pointing and early sounds are not always easy to figure out. Not only do children think about things you wouldn’t expect - but they can also tell you of things they remember from days or weeks ago, even before they have the words to do so.
Courses Designed and Taught by
Mimi Brian Vance
Author, Creator, Language Specialist, Former U.S. Diplomat, Mom
Mimi has been teaching Baby Sign Language for nearly two decades. Her thoughtful methods help (sometimes overwhelmed and sleep-deprived) parents reap the benefits of signing, and steers them from earliest signing to more advanced communications.
She is a strong proponent of signing with babies, and works to educate people about the amazing ways signing can help early language development, as well as just make life easier and more pleasant for babies and parents.
Baby Sign Language - Easy!
Have Questions?
Reach out with questions and requests. We’re happy to answer you.
Have a story about how Baby Sign Language has worked in your family? Send it along! We love to hear your experiences! Send pix and videos, too!
CONTACT
In-Person Classes
If you are in the Houston, Texas area, come join an In-Person Baby Sign Language Class session. Mimi will get you and your family signing right away. Classes are small and fill quickly, so register early.