FAMILY: TALK TO THE HAND

By William Lee Adams On 3/20/05 at 7:00 PM EST

All parents wonder what their young children are thinking. With baby sign language, they can find out. Kids as young as 6 months can learn to communicate before they can speak. Popularized in Dr. Susan Goodwyn's 1996 book "Baby Signs" ($15.95), research shows that it can speed verbal development. How to get started: the Baby Signs program (www.babysigns.com), the oldest in the country, offers one-time workshops (about $50) and six-week courses (about $125) in all 50 states. Like other programs, it's primarily based on American Sign Language. Sign2Me (sign2me.com) offers private instruction in your home ($15 to $25 per session). Signing Time (signingtime.com) sells a fun, six-volume video series for $129. Or try KinderSigns (kindersigns.com), which charges $15 for access to instructional materials online.

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