The Complete Idiot's Guide to Baby Sign Language

by Diane Ryan

A new way to talk to baby!

Baby sign language is a way for parents to communicate with their babies before they can speak by teaching them a few basic gestures or signs. It’s a way to bridge the gap between the gurgling stage and the time when babies are actually able to talk. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Baby Signs introduces parents to the 60 to 80 most common signs nonverbal babies are able to understand and can use to communicate with adults, as well as demonstrations and techniques for teaching the signs.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 5, 2005

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Kristi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Perhaps I shouldn't have taken the title metaphorically -- this really is a book for idiots. Not only does the author fill 100+ pages with repetitive drivel marked by annoyingly condescending "humor" that could've been condensed into 15 pages of actually worthwhile information, but the sign language dictionary doesn't even cover the bases I was interested in learning. Instead, she teaches nearly useless words like "alligator" instead of everyday practical words like "to get dressed."

[Myridian · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title of this book is completely appropriate. On the one hand I do feel like I do have a useful basic understanding of baby sign language, how to potentially teach it to my child, and some of the background research. On the other hand, I did feel like Ryan was writing at the idiot level. Anyone who needs to have explained that the left hemiphere is on the left side of the brain is a little sad. I also thought that the writing was overly cutsey. I'm not sure whether that's a phenomena that occurs more in books related to having children, but I also noticed this in What to expect when you're expecting. Overall a useful book but I wish I'd gotten a non-idiot's version.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

We started teaching Henson simple 1 handed signs the week of his 1/2 birthday (6th month). It has been about a week and already he is recognizing the signs for mother, daddy, milk and eat. More complicated, two hand signs to come...I'll keep you updated!

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a 5 star concept; I'm excited to work on sign language with my son, and the research seems to strongly support it. But this particular book was a painful way to acquire a basic background in the subject. The writing style was somehow both patronizing and twee, living up to the Idiot's Guide name far more than I wanted, and the attempts at humor were often cringe-worthy. I felt like I was trudging through the What to Expect books all over again, though this one was much less dense. I did pick up a few great tips and activities, but they were repeated more than necessary and buried in the mediocre writing mire. I appreciated the clearly marked dictionary section, though its set up wasn't quite ideal either. I probably should have just skipped straight to the internet resources listed in the back.

[Isabel Giraldo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author gives good advice for strategies on how and when to teach a baby or toddler sign language effectively. I would say a lot of the book was superfluous repetition and encouragement but if I already picked up this book, it means I’m already interested, you don’t have to encourage me to do it.

[Sid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike some other books that I read on this topic the author quickly arrive to the point instead of waxing lyrical about the benefits of sign language for babies. The author does a good job off starting with the most important concepts first along with illustrations. Easy to follow. A good guide to have on your baby bookshelf.

[Kayla Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well laid out plan to learn & teach baby sign language.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't need all of the information in this book as I'm not a primary caregiver for the baby I'm working with (and therefore am only using and reinforcing, not teaching), but I still skimmed through it and found it interesting and useful. I wish there were more signs, or at least more variety to pick out the ones I need - I probably won't use "cracker," but I could use "cheese" and "sausage." So it will take a bit more research on my own part to achieve what I needed from this book.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to start signing with your baby!

[Breanne Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple tips for using sign language to communicate with your baby before he/she is verbal. Very interesting. I plan to try it out in a few months!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book for my daughter and it worked really well. It is really basic and easy to learn the signs.

[Shanti Hofshi]

A very clearly written and amusing book with a nice reference section of signs organized by category. Good pointers for working with babies at different stages of development.

[Erin D'brot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fast read... Had great ideas on different ways to integrate sign into your everyday life with your baby

[Jerianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. I'm excited to try to teach our son some signs.

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

In which you will learn how to sign the very important and common first baby word, “alligator.”

[Misty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed most of it, but it gave me a good basis by which to start signing with our daughter.