Baby Sign Language
Baby sign language is a fun way to interact with your kiddo and can have an amazing impact on your children’s ability to communicate. Personally, I have had great experiences incorporating it into the daily activities with my own baby, as well as during therapy sessions with little ones on my caseload.
HOW TO TEACH YOUR BABY SIGN LANGUAGE
Teaching your baby sign language may sound a little scary or out of your depth, but it can actually be simple. Don’t worry! You don’t need to take any classes or set aside extra time for signing. Let’s start with choosing a few signs of American Sign Language that are functional for your family and incorporate them into everyday activities.
ARE YOU WONDERING WHEN IT IS BEST TO START SIGNING WITH YOUR BABY?
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests starting exposure to different signs around 6 months of age. Baby sign language can empower babies and toddlers to communicate their needs and wants with their adults before their expressive language has emerged. As a parent, it is also so rewarding to watch your kiddo start to understand what you are saying and start expressing themselves when they couldn’t before!
SOME HELPFUL TIPS
#1 Choose commonly used words
Pick some signs for words that are frequently used and are easy to remember. For example, it is common to start with signs that are related to requests or food. You can try signs for the following words: more, milk, food, all done.
Example of implementation: When it is time for a nap, you can ask your baby if they are ready for their milk while squeezing your fist at the same time you say the word “milk.” If your baby is in their high chair eating, you can pause between bites and ask them if they want “more” while bringing your fingertips together. At the end of their meal, you can be “all done” while turning your palms toward them then back to you.
#2 Bring it together
When we are using baby signs, we always want to make sure to pair the hand gesture with the word spoken verbally. The sign is meant to correspond with the spoken word, not replace it. The visual gesture will help your baby link it with the verbal sounds of the word.
#3 Include other caregivers
It is important to let your baby’s other caregivers know how to demonstrate the different signs. Not only will this increase exposure to the signs throughout the day, but it also helps ensure that your baby’s wants and needs are being met when they start signing back to their adults.
#4 Patience is key
Patience is so important when it comes to signing, especially if you begin using sign language when your baby is young (6 months). Don’t give up if you don’t see them responding right away! It could very well take a couple of months before you start seeing them sign back. Fine motor skills start to develop around 8 – 9 months. This will be when they are able to start using their hands to communicate effectively even though they aren’t verbally speaking yet. Repetition is also essential. Try to use the sign every time you say the word throughout the day for the best results. The more exposure with different adults and during different activities will increase understanding and accuracy when they start to sign back.
#5 Add more signs as you go
There are so many different signs you can teach your baby. Starting with the basics and with different routines you do during the day are best. You are already using verbal words during these routines while you are narrating to your baby. In addition to mealtime, you can also teach signs that incorporate bedtime vocabulary:
bed
book
diaper
morning
eat
night
Bath time vocabulary:
bath
shampoo
cloth
water
Other every day words: mama, dada, help, please, yes, no, thank you, play, cat, dog, etc.