What's your baby saying? Watch the fingers

It's a common question among new moms: "Does your baby know how to sign?''

Years ago, it might have elicited some bewildered looks. "Do they think my baby is deaf?" Or for the truly paranoid: "Are they implying my child will end up a gang member?"

Today, baby sign language has become a natural part of many children's development. It reduces a baby's frustration and can boost intelligence by as much as 12 points, according to some studies. Imagine communicating with a baby before they can talk?

Diane Ryan explores the subject in her latest book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Baby Sign Language. In it, she gives step-by-step instructions on how to start signing with an infant and provides drawings of more than 150 common signs.

Ryan will appear at the Barnes & Noble in Wesley Chapel on Saturday to meet with parents and teach a few signs. She recently spoke with tbt* from her home in Hudson about how you don't have to be a sign language expert to teach a baby how to sign.

Why do you think baby sign language has become all the rage?

I think every parent is looking for some way to give their child every advantage. It's such a simple thing to do and a natural thing to do, babies gesture naturally. If you can do this simple kind of thing, which would result in so many benefits for your child, it's certainly worth trying. Plus it's fun to do.

What's the top reason parents sign with their children?

Parents probably think that it's going to give them a boost in their IQ and make them a little smarter. While there is research to support that, I think the main reason shouldn't be that. The main reason should be just because it's going to reduce a baby's frustration, and he'll be to communicate things he normally wouldn't be able to. It also creates a stronger parent/infant bond.

How many signs does the average baby learns?

Twenty to 25, and that's the really gung ho parent.

Next to more, eat and milk, what are the most popular signs?

Help and hurt. Then beyond that, it's pretty much just naming objects.

What do you tell parents who say teaching sign language is too hard?

First of all, I tell them read the book and you'll find out that it isn't. All you need to do is teach them three different signs to get them started. If you keep doing it, you'll certainly see some benefits. I'm not a sign language expert, so if I can do it, anyone can.

Do you wish you had this knowledge when your children were growing up?

Absolutely. Nobody knew about it. It was in the '80s when I first heard about it. But the problem was, they were just focusing on signing. Nobody was talking about taking it to the next level ... and using it to stimulate verbal language development. Luckily my daughters are very successful and they're both very verbal, too much so at times. (Laughs.)