The North Bend Public Library is offering a free one-hour introductory Baby Sign workshop that instructs parents and caregivers about the benefits of signing with hearing babies and toddlers.

The workshop will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, at the North Bend Public Library, 1800 Sherman Ave.

Children’s Librarian Sara Simpkins will show interested adults how to get started signing and introduce them to the wide variety of resources the library has available to help you learn more. Many free informational handouts will be available, including a 50-sign illustrated dictionary. Parents are asked to leave their mobile babies and toddlers at home so that everyone in attendance can give full attention to the material being  presented. The workshop will be repeated at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 22; and 10 a.m., Saturday, October 18, with more workshops to be announced for 2009.

Signing babies and toddlers communicate earlier and better, a library press release said. Research shows that they talk sooner, have larger vocabularies, demonstrate more interest in books, engage in more sophisticated play, experience less frustration and crying, have fewer tantrums, and develop a closer bond with their parents and siblings.

For information about this and other programs, those interested can call the library at 756-0400 or stop by during library hours. The library is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Note: The library will be closed on Sundays May 25 through Sept. 7.