Baby Sign Language

Baby sign is my favorite! I learned about baby sign language when I worked at Little Oaks. We taught the infants in our care basic signs so they could communicate with caregivers and other children. We started off with one or two signs. Usually the first signs we taught were milk, more and eat. When teaching the sign you say the word, do the sign and then take the babies hands and have them do the sign. You follow this action with presenting your child with whatever object, person or event they signed for.

The first aim is for your child to make a connection between the sign and what it represents. Use certain signs before an event, enabling your child to anticipate it. It is best to sign when your child is making eye contact with the relevant object or event.  Repetition is important. Use every opportunity to sign. Your child will understand the sign before they are able to perform them. Try to be patient and have fun with it.

It's so amazing when they start catching on. Babies can learn to sign as early as 4 or 5 months. It's an awesome feeling to be able to communicate with your little one before they can talk. Sign language promotes early language and communication skills and improves brain development.

Here are some of the more popular signs you can do with your baby.

Encourage all of your babies care givers to do sign with your baby for consistency and more repetitions.

Jolene and I are just getting started on the milk sign.


All of the signs pictured above were taken from the children's book My First Signs. Illustrated by Annie Kubler.