Even if your baby isn’t speaking yet, you can still establish communication. Here’s a guide on introducing baby sign language through common gestures.
We all dislike seeing our children unhappy, especially when they’re too young to express themselves verbally. It can be challenging to decipher their needs—are they hungry, tired, or need a diaper change? Similarly, it’s frustrating for babies when their attempts to communicate go unnoticed. In recent times, many parents have embraced baby sign language as a means to enhance communication with their pre-verbal infants. In this guide, experts explain what baby sign language entails, its advantages, how to initiate teaching it, and provide 25 essential baby signs to begin with.
What Is Baby Sign Language?
Baby sign language consists of basic hand gestures and movements, also known as signs, that correspond to everyday words used with infants. It serves as a valuable tool for improving communication between hearing parents and their non-verbal babies. While some signs overlap with American Sign Language (ASL), baby sign language is simpler and doesn’t include the complex grammar and sentence structure found in formal sign languages like ASL or British Sign Language (BSL).
According to Jann Fujimoto, CCC-SLP, a certified speech-language pathologist from Wisconsin, “Baby sign is not a technical sign language, such as ASL or BSL, which are primarily used by the deaf community and are more complex, with grammar and sentence structure. It’s a looser version that uses just signs for individual words.”
The concept of using baby sign language gained academic attention around 200 years ago, notably through the insights of linguist William Dwight Whitney in the 1800s. However, it wasn’t until the 2000s that baby sign language became widely accessible to parents through workshops, classes, and books dedicated to teaching these simplified gestures.
Benefits of Baby Sign Language
The benefits attributed to baby sign language encompass both immediate advantages and potential long-term impacts. Understanding and responding to a preverbal baby’s needs before they can speak promotes a stronger caregiver-child relationship. Key benefits include:
- Enhanced Communication: Babies can communicate their needs and desires before they develop verbal skills.
- Reduced Tantrums: Effective communication decreases frustration, leading to fewer tantrums.
- Parental Understanding: Parents can better interpret their baby’s signals, reducing their own frustration.
- Language Development: Baby sign language may accelerate language acquisition and cognitive development.
- Cognitive Skills: It enhances cognitive abilities by encouraging early communication.
- Bonding: It fosters stronger bonds between parents and babies.
In the late 1980s, Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn’s research highlighted that babies using sign language tended to acquire verbal skills faster and scored higher on IQ tests later in childhood compared to non-signers. Shira Fogel, a speech pathologist, observed significant progress in her own child’s language development through baby sign language. The American Academy of Pediatrics also acknowledges its potential to bridge communication gaps.
However, the scientific community remains divided. While studies like those by Acredolo and Goodwyn support the benefits of baby sign language, other research has not consistently shown significant long-term advantages. Some experts caution against overstating the benefits, noting that while baby sign language aids communication, it may not produce transformative results. Dr. Jack Maypole advises skepticism towards programs that promise extraordinary outcomes, emphasizing that while beneficial, the impacts of baby sign language are generally considered theoretical rather than definitive.
Potential Disadvantages of Baby Sign Language
While baby sign language offers numerous potential benefits, there are also considerations regarding its use:
- Speech Delay Concerns: Some parents worry that using baby sign language might delay the onset of spoken language. However, experts like Jann Fujimoto assert that if a baby is developing typically, signing simply complements their overall language learning process. It provides an additional means of expression rather than hindering speech development.
- Hearing Impairment: It’s crucial not to rely solely on baby sign language if there are concerns about a baby’s hearing. Jann Fujimoto advises parents to consult with a pediatrician if they suspect a hearing impairment. A pediatrician can then refer the baby to an audiologist for comprehensive hearing tests and evaluations.
These points underscore the importance of using baby sign language as a supportive tool in communication rather than a replacement for traditional verbal interaction. It’s essential for parents to remain vigilant about their child’s overall development and to seek professional guidance when necessary, particularly regarding hearing concerns.
How and When to Start Baby Sign Language
If you’re ready to introduce baby sign language, the optimal starting point is when your baby is between 4 to 6 months old, advises Jann Fujimoto. Teaching baby sign language involves associating gestures with everyday words, such as demonstrating the sign for “milk” while verbally saying the word and then giving the baby milk. Fujimoto emphasizes that it’s crucial not to withhold items until the baby makes the sign independently but rather to reinforce the word with the gesture consistently.
Consistency is key to effective learning; using signs daily helps babies grasp their meanings over time. While babies typically start connecting words with signs around 6 to 9 months, they may not initiate signs on their own until later. Similar to learning a new language, preverbal babies comprehend more than they can express verbally or through signs initially.
There are abundant resources available for parents interested in baby sign language, including workshops, videos, books, and apps tailored to teaching signs. Workshops often cover a range of 30 to 50 signs that parents can introduce at their own pace. According to Fujimoto, families should choose the learning method that best suits their preferences, whether it’s participating in classes, using interactive videos, or following instructional books.
By starting early and maintaining consistent practice, parents can effectively integrate baby sign language into daily interactions, enhancing communication with their infants before they acquire spoken language skills.
Common Baby Signs
When you’re ready to start teaching baby sign language, it’s best to begin with words that are most relevant to your daily routines. According to Jann Fujimoto, focusing on words like “more,” “please,” and “milk” is a good starting point. Here are illustrations of 25 common baby signs to help you get started:
- More
- Please
- Milk
- Eat
- Drink
- All done/Finished
- Diaper
- Sleep
- Hug
- Book
- Ball
- Dog
- Cat
- Bird
- Fish
- Car
- Train
- Airplane
- Shoes
- Hat
- Coat
- Help
- Thank you
- Sorry
- Mom/Dad
These signs can be introduced gradually as part of daily interactions, reinforcing each gesture with verbal communication. Choosing signs that align with your family’s routines and preferences will help facilitate effective communication between you and your baby.
Hungry” in sign language: To sign “hungry” in American Sign Language (ASL), you can follow these steps:
- Form a C-shape with your dominant hand by touching your fingertips to your thumb.
- Place your hand at your mouth, near your chin.
- Move your hand down in a short, quick movement, ending around your stomach.
This sign represents the feeling of hunger and is a simple gesture that babies can easily learn to communicate their hunger.
“Drink” in sign language: To sign “drink” in American Sign Language (ASL), mimic the action of holding and drinking from a cup:
- Form a C-shape with your dominant hand, similar to holding a cup.
- Bring your hand to your mouth, as if tipping a cup to drink from it.
This sign imitates the motion of drinking and is straightforward for babies to learn as they express their desire for something to drink.
These signs can be introduced during feeding times or whenever your baby shows interest or need for food or drink, enhancing communication and reducing frustration.
“Milk” in sign language: To sign “milk” in American Sign Language (ASL), follow these steps:
- Start with both hands in a fist.
- Extend your fingers outward, opening your hands.
- Bring your fingers back into fists.
This sign mimics the action of milking a cow and is a simple and intuitive way for babies to communicate their desire for milk.
“Water” in sign language: To sign “water” in American Sign Language (ASL), you can use the following method:
- Extend your three middle fingers upward, keeping your thumb and pinkie tucked into your palm.
- Tap your index finger to your chin.
This sign represents the act of water dripping from your chin when you drink, symbolizing the concept of water. It’s a clear gesture that babies can easily learn to indicate their desire for water.
Introducing these signs during feeding or drinking times can help babies express their needs and preferences effectively, fostering communication and reducing frustration for both baby and caregiver.
“More” in sign language: To sign “more” in American Sign Language (ASL), follow these steps:
- Start with both hands open, palms facing up.
- Pinch your thumbs and fingers together to form an O shape with each hand.
- Tap the fingertips of both hands together a couple of times.
This sign represents the concept of “more” and is used to indicate a desire for additional quantities of something, such as more food, more playtime, or more of any desired activity.
Introducing the sign for “more” during meal times or whenever your baby expresses interest in continuing an activity helps them communicate their desires clearly, enhancing understanding and reducing frustration.
“Done” in sign language: To sign “done” or “finished” in ASL:
- Start with your hands up, palms facing towards you.
- Rotate your hands outward so that your palms face away from you.
This gesture signifies completion or being finished with something, such as a meal or an activity.
“Play” in sign language: To sign “play” in ASL:
- Clench your fingers into your palms, leaving your thumbs and pinkies extended.
- With your palms facing you, twist your wrists back and forth.
This sign mimics the action of playing and can be used to indicate the desire to engage in playful activities.
“Sleep” in sign language: To sign “sleep” in ASL:
- Hold your hand over your forehead with your fingers spread apart.
- Draw your hand down over your face until your fingers and thumb come together to touch your chin.
This sign represents the action of falling asleep and can be helpful in signaling bedtime or naptime.
“Mom” in sign language: To sign “mom” in ASL:
- Spread your fingers apart.
- With your pinkie facing forward, tap your thumb to your chin.
This sign is a simple and affectionate way for babies to refer to their mothers.
“Dad” in sign language: To sign “dad” in ASL:
- Spread your fingers apart.
- With your pinkie facing forward, tap your thumb to your forehead.
This gesture is used to refer to fathers and is another important term for babies to learn.
“Poop” in sign language: To sign “poop” in ASL:
- Clench both hands into fists and stack them on top of each other.
- Pull your bottom hand down from the upper hand, leaving your thumb extended.
This sign indicates the bodily function of passing stool and can be useful for communicating diaper needs.
“Yes” in sign language: To sign “yes” in ASL:
- Make a fist.
- Fold your wrist down, bobbing your fist up and down.
This sign signifies agreement or affirmation and is an important early communication tool for babies.
“No” in sign language: To sign “no” in ASL:
- Extend your thumb, index, and middle fingers.
- Quickly snap them together.
This gesture indicates negation or refusal and helps babies express their preferences or dislikes.
These signs provide babies with effective ways to communicate their needs and emotions before they can speak verbally, enhancing interaction and reducing frustration for both parents and children.
Baby Sign Language Chart
It sounds like you’re ready to dive into practicing baby sign language with your little one! Here are some key points to remember as you begin:
- Choose Common Words: Start with words that are relevant to your daily routines and that your baby is likely to use frequently, such as “more,” “milk,” “eat,” and “sleep.”
- Consistency is Key: Practice the signs consistently during everyday interactions. Repetition helps babies understand and remember the signs more effectively.
- Enhancing Communication: Baby sign language is not just about communication; it’s about building a stronger bond between you and your child by understanding each other’s needs and feelings.
By incorporating these signs into your daily interactions, you’re giving your child a valuable tool to express themselves before they can speak verbally. This can lead to fewer frustrations and more meaningful interactions for both of you.
About the experts:
- Jann Fujimoto, CCC-SLP: Jann Fujimoto is a certified speech-language pathologist with extensive experience across various settings, including birth-to-three programs, schools, hospitals, and clinics. She holds an MS in communication disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas.
- Jack Maypole, MD: Dr. Jack Maypole is an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at Boston Medical Center, bringing over two decades of pediatric experience. He earned his bachelor’s degree and medical degree from Yale University.
Their expertise underscores the importance and benefits of baby sign language in early childhood development.
