This class is appropriate for babies and young children 2 months or older and pre-verbal. Adults must bring children to the class.

Baby sign language, developed by Dr. Joseph Garcia, lets babies and toddlers communicate their needs to their caregivers, so they don’t need to cry or become frustrated.

During the first years of life, infants and toddlers have a desire to communicate their needs and wants; however, speech occurs after cognitive ability. Baby sign language gives them the ability to communicate their needs and wishes, pre-verbal, without frustration, tears, or tantrums. Babies and toddlers can learn signs important to their lifestyle such as “milk,” “more,” “sleep," “eat,” and so on.

This four-week class will share benefits and research in this area as well as ways to teach your baby many American Sign Language Signs. The class is taught by Sheryl White who has used the Sign with Your Baby program with her own children.

Sheryl begins the class with instruction detailing how to teach your baby sign language, benefits, and research for caregivers. Afterwards, Sheryl brings out a bag filled with props, toys, puppets, etc. and signs with the babies. Caregivers then get a turn learning signs while interacting and engaging with the babies. Caregivers leave with handouts and armed with the tools they need to sign with their babies.

This program is made possible by an LSTA grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.