Have you been thinking about teaching your baby or toddler a few signs?
Teaching your little one baby sign language is a great way to bond and encourage communication skills between the two of you.
Here is what we will be covering in this post:
- What are the benefits of baby sign language?
- When to start baby sign language?
- How to teach baby sign language
- What signs should I teach my baby first?
- Baby Sign Language Videos
- Baby Sign Language Printable
- Are there negative effects to teaching baby sign language?
- Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the benefits of baby sign language?
There are a few reasons I recommend parents to use baby signs with their little one.
The first is that it is a great way to help your baby communicate as well as it encourages the skills needed for spoken language as well.
When we look at the stages of language development generally children will imitate play and gestures before having the ability to imitate sounds and words.
Baby sign teaches children to imitate which is an important skill for language development.
It is also easier for them to learn because you can take their hands and show them how to do the motions and also use this technique to help them follow through.
You can not physically make a child talk so it can be more difficult to help them learn.
When to Start Baby Sign Language
Just like talking around your baby, the earlier the better!
4 months old can be a great age to start modeling signs as your baby’s vision as become more clear.
Model the signs during daily routines and play time.
For example, you can sign “eat” or “milk” before a bottle or breastfeeding session.
Another quick thing to note is it is never too late to teach your little one sign either!
There are many benefits to using sign with your child no matter what age they are.
How to Teach Baby Sign Language
The first step is modeling the signs for your baby.
You can do this through out the day or during play time.
Mealtimes are usually a great time to start introducing them because we eat many times a day and it is a consistent routine.
When you model the sign for your baby, pair it with spoken word.
This allows them to learn both at the same time.
Watch to see if your baby is interested.
Are they watching?
Do they try to imitate you?
If not…that is ok!
Your baby will most likely have to see the signs many times before they even attempt to imitate it.
After you have modeled the sign for your baby, you can gently take their hands and show them how to do the sign themselves if they will allow you.
If they pull back or don’t like it, then just continue with modeling and try the hand-over-hand practice another day.
Grab your FREE Milestone Guide HERE.
What signs should I teach my baby first?
Starting with signs that are functional is best because they will allow your baby to be able to communicate when they need it the most.
They are also very motivating and are words that are part of daily routines which means they will get lots of practice.
The first three signs I usually recommend starting with is: more, all done, and eat.
If there are other signs that you feel like would be more meaningful to you or your little one I would start with those.
Baby Sign Language Videos
Here are a few videos that show some of the simple signs you can start teaching your baby.
Baby Sign Language Printable
Want to keep some baby sign language basics with you on hand?
Make sure to download this baby sign language printable so you can see the signs you are trying to teach.
This handout also includes baby sign language tips that will help you teach your little one to sign as well.
Are there negative effects of baby sign language?
I get asked a lot if using baby sign language will cause a speech delay and the answer is no.
Learning spoken language and sign language is actually very similar.
Using baby signs will help encourage the precursor skills needed for spoken words as well as end some of the frustration your little one may have from not being able to communicate.
You can read more about why sign language does not cause a language delay here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Just like using spoken language you will want to start early. Start modeling signs during playtime and daily routines as soon as you would like. I usually suggest around months old as your baby’s vision will be a little more clear then. It is never too early or too late to start.
Baby signs are used with words and signs are usually modified from ASL. However, ASL is a complex language system so it is not exchangeable for teaching a few baby signs. Baby signs are just used to communicate between babies and parents.
Yes! You can count a sign as a word if your baby is using it consistently and it has meaning.
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Kayla O’Neill has a master’s degree in education as well as a bachelor’s degree in special education with an emphasis in early childhood education. She has been working as a developmental therapist with babies and toddlers in early intervention since 2012. She is also a mom with two young children.