Introduce basic sign language as early as you'd like. When your baby is seven or eight months old, you can teach her a few simple signs at dinner time, when she is sitting in her highchair and her hands are free. Research has demonstrated that early use of sign language may encourage the development of spoken language. But the big bonus of a baby who signs is the potential reduction in frustration — and accompanying tantrums — because she can tell you what is bothering her.

Exactly what sign you use for a particular word isn't important, as long as you are consistent. You can make up your own, get a book of simple signs intended to be used with babies, use American Sign Language standard sig-nage (animated tutorials are easy to find on the web, and a host of books are also available), or use a mixture of all three.

Here are a few basic ones:

FIGURE 15-1: All Gone/empty

Sweep your right hand over your down-turned left hand.

FIGURE 15-2: Down

Point your index finger downward. Lower your finger a few inches.

FIGURE 15-3: Drink

Cup your hand as if holding an invisible glass. Raise it up to your mouth as if drinking.

FIGURE 15-4: Eat

Draw the tips of all of your fingers and thumb together as if operating a hand puppet with its mouth closed. Bring your hand up to your mouth and touch your fingertips twice to your lips.

FIGURE 15-5: More

Hold both hands in front of you, fingers on each hand held together and thumbs tucked in, forming a loose “O” shape. Bring the fingertips of both hands together in front of you twice.

FIGURE 15-6: Scared

Place your hands open, fingers spread wide, against the front of your chest.

FIGURE 15-7: Sit

Extend the index and middle fingers of your left hand horizontally in front of your body, palm down. Raise the same fingers on your right hand and bring them down to rest on your left fingers.

FIGURE 15-8: Tired

Use the sign for bed as shown: Tilt your head to one side. Bring the palm of one hand up to your cheek. Rest your head against your open palm. Or you place your hands palms in, on your shoulders and move them down from your shoulders as you slump.