I thought it would be an interesting tool for motivating them to watch their babies more closely. The Baby Signs caught on like wildfire, and Grey and her assistant, graduate student Pauline Wooliever, began examining children's responses to the signs. Student caregivers must learn and implement simple gestures as they interact with the children. They also record their observations through written notes and videotapes. The teachers' increased commitment level over the past two years has corresponded with the children's responses.
Children learn gestures from one another, as well as from caregivers.
They even create their own gestures, which caregivers record and encourage. Gesturing also allows children and caregivers to understand each other better. It helps us as well as it helps the children.