There seems to be a relatively new trend for using a modified version of sign language for babies. I don’t know what the long term behaviour will be but the short term I have seen some pretty dumb things.

For example I’ve seen a parent get mad when their child uses a sign for milk and promptly scolds the kid with “Use your words!” This is quite contrary to teaching the kid ‘sign language’ then confusing him by reprimanding for using the language he was taught in the first place.

Now there are all kinds of baby sign language books like this one pictured

So upon I see a number of useful signs, I guess. Yet I really have to question the inclusion of the sign for coffee!

What the heck does a baby need the sign of coffee? Seriously! Maybe it’s for when mom’s all tired out and baby can use the coffee sign to tell mom “Hey, get a Tim’s so you can spend the next 60 mins cleaning up after I tip this fish bowl over!”

I just don’t see this baby sign language being anything useful outside of a fad.