Do you ever wish your baby could say something besides “goo goo” and “ga ga”? Well, she can if you start teaching sign language early. In the months before baby can tell you whether she’s tired, hot, hungry or sick, baby sign language can fill that void in communication. You can start as early as you want, signing to baby as you feed, diaper, dress and put her to bed. Very basic signs for “food,” “diaper,” “drink” and various family members can be found at Parents.com. Be consistent in your signing as baby ages, so that she can pick it up herself, usually around six months of age. Start with just the essentials, and build on as baby gets older. Find opportunities to use the same signs throughout the day. For instance, use food signs at all meals instead of just lunch or dinner, where the child may associate those signs to just that one meal. As you make signs, always speak the words each sign stands for to build verbal skills later. Parents who use baby sign language report that it enhances verbal skills later and even makes for a happier, smarter baby. When a baby can get her needs met by making a hand gesture that the parent can understand clearly, then she’s less prone to tantrums and establishes closeness with her parents because they communicate effectively. But in reality, most babies, when they reach a certain age, are able to tell their parents what they want. Cues such as banging on a highchair when they want more food (or are finished), pulling at a dirty diaper and other uses of body language can clue you in to what your baby is trying to tell you.