What's the difference between "Baby Signs" and American Sign Language?

Answer 1

Baby signs are not true to the ASL format. They are often very similiar but are made to be easy for the baby to manipulate and her them to easily comunicate with the family around them. I used baby signs with both of my children and it was such a blessing. My son who will be 7 this week stilllikes to sign and we have looked through ASL books and learned new signs just because he likes them.
I fyou have someone in your family or community who uses ASL they will still be able to understand baby signs as if was derived from ASL.

Answer 2

In my experience most "baby signs" are ASL signs or altered versions of ASL signs so that babies can form the signs.

For example the sign for dog is a finger snap and a pat of the thigh. The sign most baby sign classes teach is the thigh snap alone. Babies can snap there fingers.

I would recomend you ask any course provider if there program is based on ASL before registering to take a course if it is important for you to learn them.

Answer 3

Baby signs are simplified versions of ASL signs because babies don't have the coordination to do many of the ASL signs. I bought baby sign flash cards on amazon.com. They were very helpful. We began doing some of the signs as early as 4 months, just to introduce them to our daughter. I would recommend this to every parent.

Answer 4

Some of the signs have been modified to make them easier for young children and babies to sign. They are still very close to the ASL standard signs but just a bit easier for them. It's a personal choice what you use, but most of the common ones that they use with little ones are pretty simple anyway, such a please, thank you, more, eat, drink...so on.

Answer 5

ASL is what hearing impaired people use.
Baby Signs is what partents teach children that are easier for their little developing hand to sign.

Studies show babies who learn sign language talk sooner.