I've had a few people say they hate signing so I just wanted to see why they feel that way. It is interesting. maybe I'm just lucky that I've had luck using it and my daycare kiddos still use words. I refuse to answer to grunting and the phrase 'use your words' should just be recorded and put on repeat in my house lol. Both my children were early talkers too but they also both signed until they had words. I hate when kids scream to ask/get something. That drives me nuts. I would rather they sign it but I also encourage verbal words along with it.

If they are just signing and not speaking to their child then for sure it will delay speech as the child knows they will get what they want/need just using sign. Generally, my daycare kids use both. They will sign for more at lunch and then say more I was one of those moms that talked to my kids all the time ( I do it with the daycare kids too). When we had lunch I always talked about what we were having and what colour and shape the food was. Bath time we talked about bubbles and splashing and body parts lol. I used to have people glare at me at restaurants because I talked to my kids all through the meal

I'm a firm believer that talking to children is huge. Not baby talk either or 'fake' names for things like bubba for bottle. I can't stand baby talk and refuse to use it with the daycare kids. I ask them if they would like milk in their bottle/cup. We talk about the grass, the trees, the clouds on our walks etc. Its amazing how much they take in and understand