The Barnes & Noble Review
Acclaimed authors Linda Acredolo, Ph.D., and Susan Goodwyn, Ph.D., have developed a proven system of baby sign language that is revolutionizing the way parents can relate to their pre-language infants. With My First Baby Signs,, they share their knowledge in an easy and accessible way, helping parents to overcome frustrating guesswork -- what does that cry mean? -- and to communicate with their children through simple signs.
In this colorful and easy-to-understand board book, Acredolo and Goodwyn give signs for ten common things found at home, from toys to animals. Simple signing instructions for parents are provided, along with pictures of objects that babies will quickly recognize in their homes. One example is "book," which shows the word alongside an open book, a pile of books, and a baby reading a book. On the opposite page, a photo of a baby making the "book" sign is shown, with words "open and close palms" giving the instruction to parents. More signs -- including hat, baby, and telephone -- follow the same format, and the final spread shows all the objects without words or instructions, so babies and parents can practice the signs together.
A companion to Baby Signs for Mealtime, My First Baby Signss is an exciting step to breaking the before-language barrier. The book's durable format is perfect for the usual infant wear-and-tear, and large color photos will keep babies' eyes glued to the pages. Shown by research to help infants speak sooner, Acredolo and Goodwyn's baby signs are a surefire way to make that first year of development much more rewarding. (Matt Warner)
