For babies, playing is learning, but these next signs pack a bigger educational punch than some other playtime activities. Your baby doesn’t have to know that, though! Just keep on having fun and take pride in the fact that soon she will be demonstrating for you these signs of learning.

Books are exciting to children of all ages, and babies are no different. Reading daily to your baby can improve her vocabulary and give her a better command of spoken English. The sign for BOOK, as shown in Figures 9–5 and 9–6, actually looks like a book.

• 1. Start with your palms together.

• 2. Now open your hands as if they were hinged on one side, like you are opening a book.

The sign for MUSIC ( SEE DVD) actually resembles the act of conducting.

• 1. Hold one arm in front of your torso.

• 2. Move the other hand back and forth above your arm in a rhythmic fashion as if conducting.

Don’t be surprised if your baby makes this sign without the use of her still arm. She will likely pick up on the conducting part first, but the other may have to come later.