When deciding to do baby sign language many parents want to know when is the best age to start?

The simple truth is that the best time to start is when you feel ready that you can consistently introduce baby sign into your new baby’s life and routines.

But, there are also stages of your baby’s development that will mean even though from an early age they can understand signs they do not have the physical ability to sign back.

A baby’s physical ability to sign begins at around 5 – 6 months, once they can hold a rattle or a toy.  Once they have developed this level of control around their hands they may attempt to do some signing.

Because your baby will not be able to sign until approximately 5 – 6 months of age we generally recommend to parents that this is a good age to start introducing baby sign.  Now, the reason for this isn’t because your baby can’t start to learn signs at an earlier age (more…)

The Baby and Toddler Show are running again for the second year in Sydney. Last years show was a great event with so many people attending that this years show had to be moved to Darling Harbour for more room.

I will be there all weekend at Stand D9 to meet you and answer your questions on baby sign language and our classes.

I’ll also be giving a talk on the main stage at 9:45am on all three days so it would be great to see you in the audience.

Lena our Northern Beaches Teacher will be attending on Sunday if you would like to come and meet her but unfortunately Catherine our Inner West teacher will not be attending because she has just given birth to a brand new baby boy, we all wish her the best and she will be back soon.

Attractions:

With three full exhibition days and over 200 of the latest brands for pregnancy, (more…)

Just over 2 weeks ago, the topic of baby sign language was mentioned on the Channel 7 TV show, Packed to the Rafters.

In episode ten of the series, Julie steps out of her comfort zone by joining a local mother’s group and meets another mum by the name of Stephanie.

Stephanie demonstrates some baby signing with her baby Orlando in front of Julie.

Prior to the episode going to air, I spoke to the representatives of Packed to the Rafters to confirm that they would be using Auslan baby sign language on the show. I expressed the importance of using Auslan baby sign in the show rather than using a made up signing system or a sign language from another country. The show confirmed with me that it was Auslan baby sign language that would be featured in the episode.

In the episode Stephanie mentions to Julie how she is teaching her son signing. Julie then comments “as in…” to which Stephanie replies “Auslan”. In the episode Stephanie does a one-handed sign for milk to her son and expresses how great it is to know what her son Orly wants using baby sign language.

While the topic of the episode revolved more around Julie stepping outside of her comfort zone and the competitiveness of mums, it was great to see some baby sign language on a top rated TV show such as Packed to the Rafters. While it did not convinced Julie’s character to pursue it, it did mention Auslan baby signing as well as expressing how babies are sponges at a young age and baby signing is a fantastic way to communicate with them while pre-verbal.

Ideally, it would have been great to have seen a baby signing on the show. I am sure among all the Baby Hands baby signers out there we could have assisted them with this. This would have demonstrated the amazing benefits of baby signing to Aussie mums. Maybe next time

For those of you who missed the episode, you can watch the segment below, the video automatically starts at the segment where Julie meets Stephanie in the park (6:23 in)

Visit the main Packed to the Rafters website here for more information on the show.

I wanted to personally introduce the latest member of the Baby Hands family.

Catherine Carrier, who is our Inner West Sydney baby sign language teacher, last month welcomed a new addition to her family.  Her son, Charlton Anthony Carrier, was born on Tuesday 17th August at 7.03pm.  He weighed 3.8kgs and as you can see from the photos, both he and his mum are doing really well.

Catherine wanted to say thanks to everyone for their warm wishes and wanted to let you know that she is hoping to be back offering Baby Hands classes by next month.

Congratulations again Catherine, he is absolutely beautiful.  Welcome to the Baby Hands family Charlton!