TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - Early learning centers in Tucson are teaching babies as young as six months old to communicate with their hands before they can say their first words.

The Learning Experience, a chain of early learning centers with locations in Tucson and Chandler , added American Sign Language to its curriculum to help children express their needs and emotions before they develop verbal skills.

Alexis Ruddy, a parent and teacher at a Tucson location, noticed her son struggling with communication and behavior when he was about 1 year old.

“I started to notice he’s not really picking up on speaking,” Ruddy said. “It was overwhelming for sure. He can be a lot to manage at times.”

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