Teaching babies sign language can help them to start speaking at an earlier age, according to ongoing research being conducted by Ohio State University and the University of California at Davis. Studies conducted at both universities also indicate that sign language can help babies develop stronger verbal skills in the long run. This has also been complimented by research that children who have begun to express themselves verbally can learn speech more effectively through song.

Based on these findings, Lora Heller has established a unique school for babies in New York. Known as Baby Fingers, the school has been successfully helping babies develop stronger verbal communication skills through the teaching of sign language in combination with music. The effectiveness of this approach to teaching lies in the fact that sign language and music share a certain rhythmic quality. In other words, both require the learner to keep a steady beat. In addition, while teaching sign language can help babies develop basic communication, singing songs can help them solidify their vocabulary after they begin to communicate verbally.

As a result of these similarities, teaching music and sign language, in combination, can help babies and children below five develop spatial reasoning and socialisation skills while encouraging them to communicate better.

It was her background in music therapy and deaf education that made Heller aware of the potential benefits of using both to help babies develop the ability to communicate before learning to speak. So far, her methods of teaching have produced results not only in babies, but also in deaf children and children with deaf parents. They have also helped bridge the communication gap between English-speaking children and their parents with a first language other than English.

In addition, children with behavioural issues and a lack of ability to communicate in times of distress have been able to overcome their limitations due to the teaching of music alongside sign language.

Parents are encouraged to enrol their babies before the completion of their first year; preferably at four to six months, though toddlers and preschoolers still benefit from the program. It is also recommended that parents learn to sign, as this can enhance the bond between parents and children; babies often enjoy watching and responding to sign language. As a result, teaching parents sign language can lead to early learning and long-term retention, on the part of babies, of this system of communication. In addition, parents who know sign language can effectively use it to teach their babies social skills and manage behavioural issues.

Baby Fingers uses American Sign Language [ASL] as its medium of instruction. The advantages of using ASL is the fact that it has its own grammar and syntax and is the standardised sign language used for teaching and sharing knowledge. Teaching babies through ASL will, therefore give them a solid foundation in a sign language that is universally recognised and can be easily used outside their classes at Baby Fingers. In addition to center based classes around the NYC-metro area, Webinars are available to families that do not live near the Baby Fingers neighborhoods. Families across the globe can learn to sign along with Lora Heller right from the comfort of their own home computer.  Toan Dinh