The documented book is *See, Touch, Feel: Baby Signs: First Words to Sign With Your Baby*, a 16-page board book—not a book titled "Baby Sign Language—First Words." Use it as a simple home-practice aid, while continuing to speak with your child. The book is intended for ages 0–2 and pairs each word with an illustrated sign and parent instructions. It can support playful communication, but it is not a language assessment or a replacement for professional advice.
Table of Contents
- What does the book include?
- How should families practise at home?
- What should parents expect?
- When should a professional be involved?
- Is baby signing the same as ASL?
What does the book include?
Macmillan/Priddy Books lists *See, Touch, Feel: baby Signs: First Words to Sign with Your Baby* by Roger Priddy for sale on October 7, 2025. The compact board-book format is designed for shared reading with babies and toddlers. Macmillan/Priddy Books product listing Each page presents a familiar word, an illustration of the sign, and guidance for the parent.
Priddy Books says the book was developed with baby-sign consultant Dr. Etel Leit and is aimed at children from birth through age 2. Priddy Books product page Treat the book as a prompt for interaction. The most useful moments may happen away from the page, when you use a sign during meals, play, dressing, or another familiar routine.
How should families practise at home?
Choose a few useful signs connected to your child's daily life. For example, use a sign while saying "more" during meals or "ball" during play. Pair the gesture with spoken words and eye contact.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends repeating the same signs daily, using them during routine activities, choosing familiar objects, and sharing the signs with other caregivers. American Academy of Pediatrics guidance Keep practice brief and enjoyable. A child may watch for a long time before trying a sign, and pointing, reaching, vocalizing, or making an imperfect movement can still show meaningful communication.
- Pick one or two signs that match an immediate need or interest.
- Say the word clearly while demonstrating the sign.
- Repeat it naturally during the same routine.
- Ask other caregivers to use the same sign.
- Respond to an approximation instead of demanding a perfect form.
What should parents expect?
Signing develops at different rates. The AAP notes that babies taught simple signs at 6–7 months may begin using them around 8–9 months, but that timing is not a promise or a test. Avoid turning practice into a performance. Pressure can make communication frustrating, especially when a child understands a sign but cannot yet reproduce the movement precisely.
Research also limits what families should expect from baby-sign programs. A 2014 systematic review of 10 reports found no convincing evidence that baby-sign interventions improve language acquisition in typically developing hearing children; study quality was mostly weak to moderate, and the strongest randomized trial found no advantage. Fitzpatrick et al., *First Language* The same review found no evidence that baby signing interferes with typical development. It did not establish lasting spoken-language or cognitive benefits, so families can use signs for communication without treating them as a guaranteed developmental shortcut.
When should a professional be involved?
A signing book cannot determine whether a child has a hearing difference, speech delay, language disorder, or another developmental concern. Contact your pediatrician when a concern arises instead of waiting to see whether signing resolves it. The AAP recommends developmental screening at 9, 18, and 30 months, as well as screening whenever a parent or clinician has a concern.
American Academy of Pediatrics, "Milestones Matter" Bring specific observations to the appointment, such as whether your child responds to sounds, uses gestures, understands familiar words, or loses a skill previously acquired. A professional can decide whether further developmental or hearing evaluation is appropriate. Continue talking, reading, and responding to your child while using signs. The AAP advises that signs should supplement spoken interaction, not replace it.
Is baby signing the same as ASL?
Informal baby signs and American Sign Language are not interchangeable. Informal signs usually involve selected gestures used within a family, while ASL is a natural visual language with its own structure. For children who are Deaf or hard of hearing, the AAP distinguishes natural visual languages such as ASL from informal baby signs.
The AAP states that ASL can support communication, bonding, and language access alongside spoken-language options. American Academy of Pediatrics, "Hearing Assessment in Infants, Children, and Adolescents" If your child is Deaf or hard of hearing, ask qualified professionals about accessible language options and early communication support. A general board book may be a useful shared activity, but it should not substitute for individualized guidance.