Baby Sign Language – Keys to Succeed

This article provides a brief overview of how to succeed in teaching baby sign language.  By following the guidelines presented in this article, your experience with teaching your baby sign language will be successful and rewarding.

With Baby Sign Language, Timing is Everything

One question most parents have regarding baby sign language is at what age to start teaching their baby to sign.  As you may expect, there is no bright line rule on an exact age to begin signing.  Every child is different, developing at his or her own pace.  Most experts agree, however, that a baby will not be able to distinguish signs in any meaningful way prior to reaching 6 months in age. 

Generally, you may begin to introduce basic signs at age 6 to 9 months.  Your baby could start signing back to you as early as 6 months.  From 12 months onward, you can start introducing some secondary, more abstract signs.  Around 2 years of age, your child may start combining signs, and begin to speaking. 

Again, there is no definite time frame for your child’s signing development.  Read your baby’s cues and use your intuition to know when he is ready to start the learning process.  When he starts showing interest in the activities around him, baby is likely ready to begin learning signs.  In particular, if your baby is following what you’re doing with your hands, he may be ready for your instruction.  These nonverbal cues will let you know that baby is now receptive to learning sign language.

Many babies don’t make their first sign until 9 months of age or later, sometimes not before 12 months.  Don’t get frustrated if baby doesn’t start signing right away.  Though the first few signs may come very slowly, one day your baby will suddenly be learning signs at a rapid pace.  In fact, you may have a hard time keeping up!  Then the pace may slow again.  Teaching your baby sign language will be filled with fast and slow periods, stops and starts.  Just keep at it, and you and baby will succeed. 

Right Word & Right Moment for Signing with Baby

Only choose a handful of basic words to begin teaching your baby to sign.   Do not overwhelm your baby, or yourself, with a large number of signs.  At any given time, you should only be working on three to four new signs.  Once your baby learns a sign you are working on, add another sign to teach her. 

Your baby will recognize a sign well before she starts using it as her own.  This recognition is known as “receptive language”, while being able to form words (and signs) is called “expressive language”.  Pay attention to your child’s facial expressions when you are teaching her a sign, as it may tell you when she begins to recognize the sign.  For example, her eyes may light up with a smile when you sign the word “milk”.  After she recognizes a sign, your child will likely begin making that sign soon thereafter. 

Always introduce and reinforce new signs at the appropriate moments in time.  Introduce a sign before, during, and/or after an activity associated with that sign.  A great time to teach your baby to sign “milk”, for example, is when you are giving baby milk and after she is finished drinking her milk.  Conversely, you should never teach a sign out of context. 

With Baby Sign Language, Perception is Everything

A baby is constantly seeing and perceiving new things. You should be alert to your child’s perceptions.  If you notice what your baby is perceiving, you will know when and what to sign.  By the time his eyes and gazes start to connect with yours, baby is ready to begin learning sign language.  Get down on your baby’s level, literally and figuratively.  If you are aware of what he perceives, you will be a better teacher (and caregiver) to your baby. 

Your baby has different types of perceptions, each presenting an opportunity for a new sign.  Your baby may have a need or want to express a feeling or desire.  For example, if your child finishes drinking his juice, he may “express” that he wants more.  The moment that you recognize this perception is a great time to sign more. 

Sometimes, it is clear that your baby perceives you. That is, you and baby may look at each other at the same time.  When you make this type of contact with your baby, he is receptive to what you have to say.  Recognize this as an opportunity to introduce a sign.  At other times, you and your baby will perceive another person or object. For example, you may both be focused on the family dog.  Obviously, this is great opportunity to sign the word dog. 

One technique to help direct what your child perceives to use a sign in front of the object you are signing about.  Or, you can even sign with the object on your baby’s body!

Make Signing With Your Baby a Family Affair

One of the keys to success in teaching your baby to sign is to make it a team process.  If you are like most parents, many people take part in caring for your child, whether it is other family members or your child’s daycare workers.  These people have a big influence on your child.   In our family, we could not get by without regular help from wonderful grandparents.  Make teaching your baby sign language a “family affair” and get the entire family involved in the process (especially Grandma and Grandpa).

If baby goes to daycare, she will have a huge advantage in signing if her daycare workers are involved in the process.  Make sure this extended family is aware that you are teaching your baby to sign and show them the signs you are working on with your baby.  In the least, show them the basic signs she uses on a regular basis and have them participate in teaching those signs. 

Have Fun Signing with Your Baby!

Attitude matters.  As the caption says, Have Fun!  Teaching your child how to sign is more about attitude and persistence than any scientific technique.  If you recognize teaching opportunities, and you stick with it, your baby will be signing before you know it.  Don’t get frustrated if your baby does not sign back to you right away.  Remember, every child is different and every child learns and responds at his own pace. 

Communication with your baby will be intuitive and natural.  You don’t need a book to make a connection with your child.  Trust your instincts and be expressive when you communicate with your child.  Match your expression with your sign.  Babies respond as much to emotions and facial expressions as to anything that may be verbalized.  Don’t get frustrated if your baby does not use the perfect signing technique.  Rather, recognize what he is trying to say and praise him for it.  The process should be fun for both you and baby. 

Baby Sign Language Home Page
Research and Data on Signing Babies
Information on Baby Sign Language Book and Video
Sign language and Autism or Other Special Needs