The Baby Signing Bible: Baby Sign Language Made Easy

by Laura Berg

As confirmed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, infant sign language is a boon for enhancing communication between parents and babies, helping to forge an important bond early in a child's life. The Baby Signing Bible provides step-by-step instructions for parents and other caregivers, as well as insight into why baby sign language is useful for children of all ages. Kids with special needs can also benefit greatly from this program. Featuring 400 signs, the book covers essential nouns such as milk, verbs such as eat, and descriptors such as more. In addition, The Baby Signing Bible features real-life stories from parents who have successfully signed with their children, along with fun songs and games that help families learn to "sign and sing." Confidence-building illustrations enhance the basics for mastering vocabulary words.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Self Help, Reference, Childrens, Language

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 4, 2012

Reviews

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hope to use sign language with my baby due in October. I wanted to start learning signs now so I could practice and get my partner on board. He picked out this book because it included a bigger sign dictionary. I read the first half with all the introductory information. The second half is the dictionary. Through much of the book, the author incorporates stories of her own signing experiences with her two children. This is great and all, but I didn't buy the book to learn about your kids. I also feel like much of the book is trying to "sell"me on using sign language with my baby. I bought the dang book, you don't need to sell it to me for 140 pages. I did like all the game examples as the end and the dictionary is pretty extensive. The author also has YouTube videos I may check out.

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

The dictionary was pretty good as a starting point. And if you had never done signing with a baby, this would give you an okay starting point. But many of the examples in the book were from the author's personal experience with her own kids, rather than something more research-based. Also, especially in the later chapters the author really let her my-child-is-a-special-snowflake-because-I-worked-so-hard-with-her show through.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very encouraged by this to start teaching both my 16 month old and 3 1/2 year old sign language.

[Sarah Bliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

The chapters at the beginning were more than I needed. She spent a lot of time making the case for signing with babies, which was good information, but I bought the book because I was already sold on the idea and wanted to know how to do it. I also felt like she covered the same ground repeatedly. That said, I think the activity suggestions and especially the sign dictionary in the back will make this a resource I consult often as I try to get into the habit of signing with my daughter.

[Holly Oake · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is great and not great at the same time. The dictionary is extensive and useful while most of the first half felt like a waste of time. The first half of the book could be condensed to a chapter or two. Good resource but you may want to skim the first half.

[Meichen Lim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little long winded and tends to repeats herself.could have done it in point forms

[Carolyn James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking for a good foundation for starting baby sign language and this came up as a top hit. I liked the combination of some book knowledge with a dictionary. I originally was thinking of using a very minimal amount of signs just for eating mostly but this sold me on expanding to more. I liked the letters of parents talking about random scenarios they found signing helpful in and I liked Berg's explanations on teaching. Being a teacher myself, I have heard many students and parents complain and become frustrated when they try a skill a few times and it doesn't "work." The way Berg hammers home consistency, patience and understanding every baby progresses differently helps parents get that teaching isn't a magical immediate process of success. I look forward to trying this out with my LO in the coming months!

[Luca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a solid introduction to signing with your baby (and children).

Without being too academic, the book mages to introduce you to the story, principles, science and everyday application of signing with your baby.
The author also provides anecdotes from her own experience or the experiences of the parents who have been to her classes. These are nice additions that bring the topic very close to the reader.

Even if the book contains all the information you need, they are not grouped optimally and you may need to go back and forth to find what you are looking for.
I would have also appreciated some general plans and tables with examples (e.g. how signing could look like in a day).

Overall a great book!

[Patrycja · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend is teaching her baby how to sign and I was really fascinated that you can communicate this way with a baby. Next time I was in the library I picked this book and it was really good choice. It talks about the benefits and methods how to teach your baby the sign language. The other half of the book contains pictures of the signs and the description of how to do them. I had a great time learning how to sign with my bestie. I'll probably end up purchasing it because it might come in handy.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is broken up into three major sections: the background of using sign with children, the how-to-guide for introducing sign, and the ASL dictionary. I found the first section (and some of the how-to section) particularly dull to read. Fortunately, the text is short, easy to fly through, and provides those basics for what, why, and how to incorporate signing with your baby. And of course, I didn’t pick up this book looking for a thought-provoking and beautiful read. I wanted the resources! And the resources she provides! Chapter 8 is particularly helpful, as it describes all sorts of activities you can do with your child that include signing, to make it a fun and enjoyable experience. And frankly, it gave me lots of ideas for how to spend those countless stay-at-home mommy hours we have together, regardless of the signing.

So overall, the writing was an “meh” but the resources are a “yeah!”

[Ani Darbinyan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great concept of teaching children of sign language which helps improve communication between the parent and the child. Even if the child has started speaking, not all words are always clear, and a sign language can fill in that gap.
The first half of the book dedicated to the concept and advantages of baby sign could have been put in a more brief form. But overall an easy and useful read, moreover with 400 easily explained signs provided.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to explain why and how to use ASL with babies and young children. The first part is the “why” which was informative (but also rather repetitive. Still there were good examples and stories that helped. The second part, the actual “bible” shows and explains all sorts of signs that can be helpful with kiddos.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some readers may think there's too much history and info in the first half of the book. I read through it, but if I wasn't interested, it's easy to skip it and just go to the chapters I actually want to read. I liked how there is a large dictionary section for the second half of the book.

[Moriah Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has way more info than you'll ever need - very comprehensive. A quick read to get what you need out of it.

[Shams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and quick read. My little one is already signing milk and recognizes other signs.. the only book you will need to start signing with your baby.

[Tylar Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and easy read to kick start your baby signing journey.

[Katy Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a phenomenal resource. It contains rational of the importance of baby signing, 400 baby signs, and a TON of tips and tricks including song ideas and games for integrating baby sign.

[josh mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting. Read it if you plan to or do have kids.

[Anlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple, straightforward, and short guide for parents wishing to integrate sign language in their children's early months/years. This is probably the only book you need to read! The author provides the basic background and history of sign language use in infancy, overviews the advantages, and proceeds directly to easy-to-understand and follow directions for beginning your baby signing journey. This includes suggestions for which signs to begin with. I especially appreciated the ideas for games and learning activities. The latter half of the book is an alphabetic and visual dictionary of basic signs.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good reference for signs. Interesting information about benefits of signing and suggests activities to incorporate signs at home as well as the words to songs. I go to a local 'my smart hands' class and think there are definite advantages to a class over just using a book, but the book is excellent for reference at home to look up signs and reinforce what has been learned in class.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be a good reference to return to for parents who are looking to teach a variety of sign language words to their baby. As with most baby books, I could have done without all the personal anecdotes.

[Buşra Deniz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a good starting point, but it could have been much shorter and more concise. We initially used it as a dictionary and selected 5-10 basic signs to address our baby’s essential needs. This approach made it easier for her to learn and use the signs effectively

[Koretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to use! Love it!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple instructions for teaching sign language to babies. My six-month-old hasn't picked any of the signs up yet, but they're not supposed to until later so I'm going to keep working on them!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to understand, good word choices.

[Aubrie Mabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very accessible approach to teaching your baby sign language. I've started teaching Neko a few signs and feel like I can be successful at it.

[db · Rating 2 out of 5]

Still looking for a book laid out like a language learning book (i.e., lesson 1 - 5 key signs, lesson 2 - 10 useful signs, etc.)

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and makes sense...looking forward to trying it out with Willow!