Waiting for your baby to say their first words is exciting and fun. Will it be “Mama”? “Dada”? Maybe “dog,” “ball,” or something completely unexpected?
As exciting as those first words are, the idea of finally being able to communicate with your little one might be even more exciting. Babies have plenty to tell us long before they have the verbal skills to actually say it. They know when they’re hungry, thirsty, tired, uncomfortable, finished eating, or desperate for that favorite toy across the room. They just don’t have the words to tell us yet.
What if there was a way to communicate before your little one started talking?
That’s where baby sign language can help.
What Is Baby Sign Language?
While baby sign language is not the same thing as learning a complete sign language such as ASL (American Sign Language) or BSL (British Sign Language), it uses simple gestures to help babies communicate basic wants and needs.
The Bump describes baby sign language as “a set of simple hand gestures and movements, otherwise known as signs, that correspond to common words you use with baby every day.”
Think about the words you probably repeat dozens of times during an average day with your baby: milk, more, eat, all done, sleep, bath, Mommy, Daddy and help.
Baby sign language gives your little one a physical way to communicate some of those ideas before they are able to form the words themselves.
And if you think about it, babies already communicate through gestures naturally. They reach their arms toward you when they want to be picked up. They point toward interesting objects. They may wave goodbye, clap when they’re excited, or shake their head when they don’t want something.
Baby sign language simply builds on those natural communication skills.
When Can You Start Teaching Baby Sign Language?
You can begin introducing baby sign language as early as 4 to 6 months old. However, don’t be discouraged if your baby doesn’t immediately start signing back to you.
At first, you’re simply introducing the signs and making them part of your everyday routine. Your baby is watching, listening and learning even when it doesn’t seem like much is happening.
As babies grow and develop greater control of their hands, they may begin attempting signs themselves. Like other developmental milestones, exactly when this happens will vary from child to child.
The key is consistency rather than perfection.
Every time you offer your baby milk, for example, you might say the word “milk” while making the sign. Eventually, your baby begins connecting the spoken word, the hand movement and the object or activity.
Why Teach Your Baby Sign Language?
Teaching your baby sign language can offer some wonderful benefits for both babies and caregivers.
It Can Enhance Bonding
Communication helps us connect with one another—and babies are no different.
When you pay attention to your baby’s gestures and respond to their attempts at communication, you’re showing them that what they have to “say” matters.
Baby sign language also encourages lots of face-to-face interaction. You’re looking at your baby, speaking to them, making gestures and watching for their response. Those little moments of connection add up!
It May Reduce Frustration
Anyone who has cared for a baby knows the guessing game.
Are you hungry?
Do you need changed?
Are you tired?
Is something hurting?
Do you want the toy?
Why are you crying?!
It can be frustrating for parents—and imagine how frustrating it must sometimes feel for a baby who knows exactly what they want but can’t tell you.
Giving your baby a few basic signs may provide another tool for expressing their needs.
Later, as your baby enters toddlerhood and those BIG feelings begin to emerge, having another way to communicate may also help reduce some frustration surrounding communication.
It Encourages Language and Cognitive Skills
Using signs alongside spoken words can help babies begin connecting objects and actions with language.
For example, when you make the sign for “more” while also saying, “Do you want more banana?” your baby is hearing the word, seeing the gesture and experiencing what the word means.
That’s a lot of learning packed into one snack!
Will Baby Sign Language Delay Talking?
Some parents worry that teaching a baby to sign will make them less interested in learning to speak.
After all, if your baby can sign “milk,” why would they bother learning how to say it?
Fortunately, parents generally don’t need to choose between signing and speaking.
Baby sign language is intended to be used along with spoken language, not instead of it.
When you make a sign, say the word aloud at the same time. If your baby signs “more,” for example, you can respond enthusiastically: “More! You want more blueberries!”
This reinforces the spoken word while also showing your baby that their communication worked.
If you ever have concerns about your child’s speech, hearing or overall development, talk with your pediatrician. Every baby develops differently, and your child’s healthcare provider can help determine whether additional evaluation or support would be beneficial.
Easy Baby Signs to Start With
You certainly don’t need to learn dozens of signs overnight. In fact, starting with just a handful of useful words may be easier for everyone.
Consider beginning with words that naturally come up throughout your baby’s day, such as:
Milk – especially helpful for nursing or bottle-fed babies.
More – a great sign for mealtimes and playtime.
Eat – another practical sign that can help your baby express hunger.
All done – helpful when baby has finished eating or wants to stop an activity.
Sleep – useful as you establish bedtime and nap routines.
Help – a wonderful concept to introduce as your baby becomes more independent.
Mommy and Daddy – because recognizing the important people in baby’s world is always fun!
You can gradually add signs for favorite foods, toys, animals and activities as your child becomes comfortable with the basics.
Tips for Teaching Your Baby to Sign
Keep it simple and fun.
Choose two or three signs to begin with and use them consistently. Make the sign whenever you say the corresponding word.
Repetition is important. Babies learn through seeing and experiencing things over and over again, so don’t worry if you’ve demonstrated “more” approximately 437 times without getting a response!
One day, those tiny hands may suddenly attempt the gesture—and you’ll realize your baby has been paying attention all along.
Also remember that your baby’s version of a sign may not look exactly like yours. Their fine motor skills are still developing. Celebrate their attempts rather than worrying about perfect hand placement.
Most importantly, continue talking to your baby.
Narrate what you’re doing throughout the day: “Let’s put on your socks.” “Here comes your milk.” “Look at the big dog!” “Daddy’s home!”
Read books together, sing songs, make silly sounds and respond when your baby babbles. Baby sign language should become one more part of a language-rich environment rather than replacing spoken interaction.
Your Baby Has Plenty to Say
Long before babies can speak, they’re already communicating with us through cries, facial expressions, movements, sounds and gestures. Baby sign language gives them one more way to join the conversation.
And there’s something pretty amazing about seeing your little one deliberately communicate a thought to you for the first time.
Whether they’re asking for “more,” telling you they’re “all done,” or letting you know they want “milk,” those tiny gestures can feel like a huge milestone.
Before you know it, those little hands will be accompanied by little words—and eventually plenty of opinions!
Until then, enjoy finding new ways to communicate, connect and learn together.
First published by Newsymom, by Audrey Mattevi.
Sources
The Bump. “How to Teach Baby Sign Language: 25 Signs to Know.” Available online at TheBump.com.
Baby Sign Language. “Basics.” Available online at BabySignLanguage.com.