Baby sign language can be an effective communication tool allowing parents and their babies to communicate with them before they are even able to say their first words. The theory behind this is that the rate of development for the motor system e.g. hand movements occurs before that of the speech system. Thus, babies who learn to sign will produce their first signs slightly earlier than their first words. We already know that children have a natural tendency to use iconic gestures i.e. those that are recognized by both you as the parent and your child, for example, drink, food, toilet, bye-bye, and sleepy. Baby signing simply takes gesturing a step further, by introducing an ordered sign system expanding their limited selection of natural gestures. The more successful and easily used signs are ones that resemble things they stand for e.g. fingers to lips for ‘eat’, or fingers to eyes for ‘look’. If parents and caregivers reinforce particular gestures or sounds then their babies will develop those communication skills.