The Impact of Sign Language on Hearing Babies’ Communication.

This undergraduate thesis examined the use of baby sign and how it affects a hearing baby’s language and communication skills. Previous research indicates that there is not enough evidence to draw conclusions about the impact of baby sign on communication skills, but the use of baby sign has proven to be a potentially beneficial language tool. Baby sign does not delay speech development or negatively impact communication, and many families find that it improves children’s language skills. The conducted study was distributed to parents and teachers at Appalachian State University’s Child Development Center and to graduate students in speech pathology. This study revealed that many families believe using baby sign positively affects the communication skills and overall development of the infants who are taught to sign. Results will be discussed in the context of teaching parents to sign with hearing babies to communicate more effectively.