homework in baby sign language

• Baby & Toddler
• Speech Development

How to Teach Baby 25 Key Words in Baby Sign Language

We all hate seeing our kids unhappy—but when baby is too young to speak, it can be hard to know exactly what your little one wants. Are they hungry? Tired? Do they need a diaper change? Plus, it’s also probably just as frustrating for baby when their message just isn’t getting across. In recent years, more and more parents have been turning to baby sign language to help boost communication with their preverbal kids. Here, learn from experts what sign language for babies is, its benefits, how to start teaching it and 25 common baby signs to know.

What Is Baby Sign Language?

Baby sign language is a set of simple hand gestures and movements, otherwise known as signs, that correspond to common words you use with baby every day. It’s a helpful tool to enhance communication between hearing parents and babies who can hear but can’t yet talk. Sometimes the baby signs are the same as those used in American Sign Language (ASL), but not always. “Baby sign is not a technical sign language, such as ASL or BSL (British sign language), which are primarily used by the deaf community and are more complex, with grammar and sentence structure,” says Jann Fujimoto , CCC-SLP, a certified speech-language pathologist in Wisconsin. “It’s a looser version that uses just signs for individual words.”

Academics began making powerful observations about how hearing families could benefit from using baby sign language around 200 years ago, thanks to the work of linguist William Dwight Whitney in the 1800s. But it wasn’t until the 2000s that baby sign language became readily available to parents through workshops, classes and baby sign language books.

Benefits of Baby Sign Language

Baby sign language is thought to offer a bunch of potential short-term and lasting benefits. Being able to understand what your preverbal baby wants or needs—and allowing baby to express themselves without the use of words—can go a long way in building your relationship. Some of the possible benefits of baby sign language are:

• Increases baby’s ability to communicate before they can speak
• Leads to fewer tantrums, since baby can get their message across
• Lowers frustration for parents, since you can understand what baby wants or needs
• Gives baby a head start in language acquisition
• Strengthens baby’s cognitive skills
• Enhances parent-baby bonding

In the late 1980s, Linda Acredolo, a University of California, Davis professor, and Susan Goodwyn, a professor at University of Southern California, Stanislaus, found that babies who used baby sign language actually learned verbal skills faster than those who didn’t sign. In a second study , they later checked in on those same children at age 8 and found that the babies who used signs scored higher on IQ tests than the non-signers.

Shira Fogel, a speech pathologist who founded Tiny Talkers , a baby sign language workshop program in Portland, Oregon, became a believer in the benefits of sign language for babies after witnessing her first child’s remarkable progress. Her daughter made her first sign (milk) at 5.5 months, knew more than 100 signs at 12 months and could speak in full sentences by the time she was 18 months old. Even the American Academy of Pediatrics believes baby sign language can help bridge the communication gap and has given it its stamp of approval.

It’s worth noting, though, that not all academics agree that baby sign language offers proven benefits. While some studies (like the ones conducted by Acredolo and Goodwyn) have found significant upsides to using sign language for babies, other studies haven’t unearthed any significant or long-term differences between children who learn baby sign language and those who don’t. So in general, the benefits of baby sign are considered theoretical.

And, as Jack Maypole , MD, associate clinical professor of pediatrics at Boston Medical Center, points out, some benefits of baby sign language may be overstated and overpromised by the vast offerings of baby sign products on the market. “While learning baby sign language may help hearing parents and children communicate better, the results won’t necessarily be transformative, so be wary of programs that promise to get your child into Harvard or have their first novel published by nursery school,” Maypole says.

Potential Disadvantages of Baby Sign Language

So you’ve brushed up on the possible benefits of sign language for babies—but what about potential downsides? Since baby can begin to communicate using signs instead of spoken words, many parents wonder—does baby sign language delay speech? Fujimoto says no. If baby is developing at a healthy pace, baby sign just supplements their learning and gives them another way to express themselves. If you think baby might actually have a hearing impairment, don’t just rely on baby sign language as a solution, she adds. Talk to your pediatrician about your concerns and ask about referrals to an audiologist, who can perform the proper hearing tests and assessments.

How and When to Start Baby Sign Language

If you’ve decided to give baby sign language a go, you may be wondering when to teach baby some signs. A good time to start is when baby is 4 to 6 months old, according to Fujimoto. As for how, there are many different approaches to teaching baby sign language, but generally, you can teach baby by saying a word like “milk,” while making the sign at the same time, and then giving baby the milk. “Don’t hold out the item as a prize and refuse to hand it over until your child makes the sign himself,” Fujimoto says. “Verbal reinforcement—by saying the word while also showing the sign—as well as consistency are key.”

As part of the consistency, you’ll want to use the signs every day for baby to truly understand them. While your little one likely won’t start making signs on their own until they’re about 6 to 9 months, eventually baby will start to make connections between the word, sign and item. Just like learning a foreign language, a preverbal baby is going to understand more than they can speak—or in this case, sign—at first.

For more resources, parents can turn to the many workshops, videos, books and apps available these days, all designed to help you teach sign language for babies. A typical class or workshop may teach parents 30 to 50 different signs you can then use with baby at your own pace. “Some families with older babies may learn best by singing along with a video, or attending a class together,” Fujimoto says. “Families should find the method that makes sense for them.”

Common Baby Signs

When you’re ready to begin teaching baby sign language, you’ll need to decide which baby signs to start with. Fujimoto says to choose the words you and your family use the most on a day-to-day basis, like “more,” “please” and “milk.” Ready to learn how to teach baby sign language? Brush up on the below illustrations of 25 common baby signs.

“Hungry” in sign language

It’s important for baby to be able to communicate when they’re tummy feels empty—you know, before they get hangry. Teach them how to show you they’re “hungry” in sign language. You can make the sign for “hungry” by cupping your hand around your neck to make a C shape, then move your hand down from your neck to your stomach.

“Drink” in sign language

Want to learn how to sign “drink” in sign language? This one involves mimicking the action! Make a C shape with your hand, as if you were holding a cup, then move it to your mouth as if you were drinking from it.

“Milk” in sign language

Wondering how to teach baby sign language? It’s best to start with something baby knows, likes and wants—for example, milk. You can communicate the word “milk” in sign language, by making two fists, then extend your fingers and bring them back into fists.

“Water” in sign language

Teach baby how to request “water” in sign language, and you’ll always know when your little one wants their sippy cup. The sign for “water” is made by extending your three middle fingers so they’re pointing up, with your thumb and pinkie tucked down, and then tapping your index finger to your chin.

“More” in sign language

Do you have trouble knowing if and when baby wants extra spoonfuls of their favorite puree? “More” is another important word for you and baby to learn. To express “more” in sign language, pinch your thumbs and fingers together on both hands, creating two O shapes, then tapping your fingertips together a few times.

“Done” in sign language

When baby is full, they want you to stop shoving that spoon toward their mouth. Teach them to let you know they’re “all done” without fussing by using the ASL sign for “finished.” Start with your hands up, palms facing toward you, and turn them until your palms face out.

“Play” in sign language

When it comes to baby sign language, the sign “play” certainly belongs in your arsenal. To communicate “play” in sign language, clench your fingers to your palms, leaving your thumbs and pinkies extended; then with palms facing you, twist your wrists back and forth.

“Sleep” in sign language

Nobody likes having a fussy, sleep-deprived baby on their hands, so it’s a good idea to practice “sleep” in sign language. Hold your hand over your forehead with your fingers spread apart, then draw your hand down over your face until your fingers and thumb come together to touch your chin. Even babies who resist nap time may whip this one out when they’re especially exhausted.

“Mom” in sign language

Your little one will want to know how to address their favorite people in baby sign language. To sign “mom,” simply spread your fingers apart, then with your pinkie facing forward, tap your thumb to your chin.

“Dad” in sign language

As another one of baby’s favorite people, Dad will want in on the fun too! You can make the sign for “dad” by spreading your fingers apart, then with your pinkie facing forward, tap your thumb to your forehead.

“Poop” in sign language

Everybody does it, so you might as well learn to sign it! If you want to indicate “poop” in sign language, clench both hands into fists and stack them on top of each other, with the thumb of the bottom hand tucked inside the upper fist. Then, pull your bottom hand down from the upper hand, leaving your thumb extended. Next time baby soils their diaper, they’ll let you know—before you even smell it.

“Yes” in sign language

Another easy and important sign to learn is “yes.” Enthusiastically nodding your head is great, but this sign gives baby yet another communication tool. Intuitively, “yes” in sign language looks just like a nodding hand. Make a fist and then, folding at your wrist, bob your fist up and down.

“No” in sign language

Again, shaking your head works, but this sign helps reiterate the point. To express “no” in sign language, extend your thumb, index and middle fingers, then quickly snap them together.

“Food” in sign language

Instead of signing “hungry,” baby may want to ask for “food.” This sign can also mean “eat.” Communicate “food” in sign language by flattening your fingers on top of your thumb and then bringing your fingertips to your mouth.

“Help” in sign language

When learning and teaching baby sign language, be sure to review the sign for “help.” This can be useful to baby in so many different situations; plus, being able to ask for support from a parent or caregiver can help reduce any frustration a baby may feel. If you want to communicate “help” in sign language, simply make a fist with one hand, with the thumb extended, and place it over your other hand, which is extended flat. Then move both hands up together.

“Bath” in sign language

Want to tell baby it’s bath time? Express ‘“bath” in sign language by making two fists, then moving them up and down in front of your chest (as if you were scrubbing yourself clean).

“Book” in sign language

Storytime is the best time! Use your hands to say “book” in sign language; clasp your palms together with your thumbs facing up, then hinge open your hands, keeping your pinkies together (as if you were cracking open a book).

“Medicine” in sign language

The sign for “medicine” is made by placing your middle finger into the palm of your opposite hand and twisting.

“Share” in sign language

To sign “share,” extend one hand flat, with your thumb pointing up. Then, run your other hand back and forth along the top of your extended fingers.

“Sorry” in sign language

Teach baby to show empathy and express feelings before they know how to do it verbally. The sign for “sorry” is made by rubbing a fisted hand in a circle over your chest.

“Please” in sign language

Manners matter. Teach baby to ask for things politely from the get-go. To sign “please,” extend your fingers and thumb out, then rub your flattened palm against your chest in circles.

“Thank you” in sign language

Nothing is sweeter than watching your little one express gratitude. And they’ll appreciate it when you show them the same respect and courtesy right back. To sign “thank you,” straighten your thumb and fingers, then bring your fingers to your chin and pull them away.

“You’re welcome” in sign language

The sign for “you’re welcome” is the same as the sign for “thank you”—flatten your hand, bring your fingers to your chin and pull them back.

“I love you” in sign language

This is one sign you’re going to both want to use all the time. To sign “I love you,” extend your thumb, index and pinkie fingers (but keep your ring and middle fingers down). Hold your hand out with the palm facing away and rotate your hand side to side.

“Hurt” in sign language

The baby sign for “hurt” is done by clenching both hands into fists, then extending your index fingers and touching them together.

Baby Sign Language Chart

Here, you can see 25 of the most common signs, all in one comprehensive baby sign language chart.

Now that you know the basics of how to teach baby sign language, begin practicing a few words you think you’ll use most frequently at home. Your little one will love having a special way to communicate their wants and needs with you. What’s more, having the ability to express your feelings to each other will help strengthen your bond. It’s a win-win!

About the experts:

Jann Fujimoto , CCC-SLP, is a certified speech-language pathologist in Wisconsin. With 17 years of experience, she has worked in birth-to-three programs, pre-schools and schools, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics. She received her MS in communication disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Jack Maypole , MD, is an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at Boston Medical Center and a pediatrician with over two decades of experience. He received his bachelor’s degree from Yale University and his medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

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When Do Babies Start Talking

How Should I Be Talking to Baby

11 Best Baby Book Subscriptions for Expanding Little Minds

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Top 20 Baby Signs – Baby Sign Language

Baby sign language is an awesome tool to use before baby can say words. Follow our step-by-step guide, which includes a visual cheat sheet, to teach it to your baby.

• Written by Genevieve Howland
• Updated on November 02, 2023

How many times have you wished that your crying baby could just tell you what was wrong? Baby sign language is a great tool to establish communication between you and your baby before they start talking, and we’ve got the low-down, including:

On this page…

What is baby sign language?

Benefits for baby

How to teach it to your baby

Baby sign language flash cards

Plus, a handy baby sign language chart

Baby Sign Language Basics

It’s a version of typical American Sign Language (“ASL”) that’s simplified for baby’s hands and motor skills. It helps parents and caregivers communicate with babies who are not yet verbal or who are just starting to talk.

Get my FREE Baby Sign Language Cheat Sheet!

• A free, printable chart.
• The top 20 baby signs.
• A simple one-page cheat sheet.

Get Your BSL Cheat Sheet, Click Here

Benefits for Baby

1. improves self-esteem.

Some experts believe that this type of communication improves baby’s self-esteem, because it helps them feel seen and heard and shows that their parents are attentive to their needs. It’s also a confidence booster, as they’re gaining and mastering a new skill.

2. Improves mood

Because temper tantrums typically stem from the frustration of not being able to communicate their needs, this type of communication can potentially reduce the frequency and intensity of temper tantrums.

It helps you keep your calm, too, because you’re not trying to figure out what’s bothering baby and growing increasingly frustrated trying to interpret their cries .

3. May help baby talk sooner

While some experts believe that this reinforcement and repetition can help babies talk sooner, the research is mixed. One thing is certain, though: It doesn’t delay verbal skills. ( source ) Can’t hurt to try, right?!

Get free updates on baby’s first year! – Free Updates on First Year [In-article]

When to Start Teaching It

Your baby’s eyesight and motor skills have to be developed enough for them to observe and participate.

Most babies are developmentally ready for parents to begin signing around four months , though baby won’t likely be able to sign back until they’re seven to nine months old.

How to Teach It to Your Child

1. start with the familiar.

What are the activities and objects that baby does or sees on a regular basis? Start there. Start by introducing signs baby will frequently use, such as “more,” “milk,” “mom,” or “dad,” so you’ll have ample opportunities to use those signs.

2. Repeat, repeat, repeat

Repetition is key. Repeat those first few signs often—even if it doesn’t seem like baby is picking up on it. You might be tempted to try a different sign if baby isn’t picking up on the first signs you introduced, but it’s important to stick to the basics. Once baby has mastered the initial 4-5 signs, then you can expand their vocabulary and add another 4-5 into the rotation.

3. Keep your cool

Don’t expect your child to master this process over night—it’s a slow process. Keep it fun and encourage baby. Praise baby when they understand and/or repeat your actions. Keep a smile on your face, and make sure that you’re holding your hands where baby can see them.

Baby Sign Language Flash Cards

These words are very relevant to baby’s routine, so you’ll naturally use them often. Remember: Repetition is key.

Keep your fingers straight and press your fingers to your thumbs. Then open and close your hands repeatedly with your thumbs turned towards your body. It’s kind of like making an alligator mouth, only turned on its side.

With the same hand shape used in the sign for “more,” turn your fingers to face the sky and tap them repeatedly against your lips.

Press your palm flat against your chest, under your chin, and slide it down to your belly. Think of your hand following the path that food makes.

If you’ve ever milked a cow, you’ll recognize the sign for “milk.” Think of milking an udder. Make a fist with your hand, thumb facing you and fingers tucked behind your thumb, and open and close it as if milking a cow.

Think “W” for water. The sign for water is done by making a “W” with your three middle fingers, pressing your pinkie and thumb together out of sight, and tapping your hand against your chin.

When your baby has learned the signs for “eat,” “milk,” and “water,” you can move to asking them to say “please” before fulfilling their request. Simply press the palm of one hand flat against your chest and move it in a circular motion.

After they’ve said “please,” reward them with your thanks. Tap your fingers to your chin and then make the same motions as blowing a kiss.

Hold both hands up at chest level, fingers extended and palms facing you. Then flip them out, so the palms face your baby.

This is a more complicated sign. Curl the fingers of both hands into a ball, leaving your index finger out. Tuck it into a hook shape, then cross your hands at the wrists and switch them, top to bottom, several times.

Ever played, “I’ve got your nose,” with your baby? The same hand shape, thumb tucked between your first two fingers, is used to sign potty. Form the shape with your hand and then shake it back and forth several times like you’re ringing a bell.

Get a free, printable one-pager with all 20 of these signs!

Form both hands into fists, then imagine an old washboard, or scrubbing baby’s back. Rub your hands vertically up and down your torso.

Hang ten, dude. There’s a reason that hand shape, thumbs and pinkies extended, other fingers tucked in, became the symbol of California surfer dudes. When you make the shape with both hands and twist them back and forth at the wrists, it means “play.”

Start with your fingers open, palm facing you, at your forehead. Then draw them down your face, closing them as you go. Think of eyes closing in sleep.

Press your palms together, fingers flat, and then make the motion of opening them. Keep the bottom edge of your palms touching just like a book’s spine.

To make the sign for daddy hold your hand up with your fingers spread. Palm facing towards the side, tap your thumb to your forehead.

The sign for “mommy” is the same as the sign for “daddy”—the only difference is that you tap your thumb to your chin.

The sign for dog is made by putting one hand down by your leg and snapping your fingers, just like you’re calling your dog inside. Snap with your thumb and middle finger.

The sign for cat mimics the whiskers on your cat’s face. Place one hand by your mouth where a cat’s whiskers grow. Think of drawing your hand outwards, like you’re running your fingers along the whiskers, while simultaneously pinching your index finger and thumb together.

Think of one of the most natural expressions of love—a hug. Cross your arms in front of your chest, hands balled up as if you’re hugging yourself.

How do we often indicate “yes,” even when speaking? By nodding our head up and down. The sign for “yes,” makes the same motion only with your hand. Form one hand into a ball and hold it up near your shoulder, then wag it up and down as if you were nodding your head “yes.”

How often does your baby reach out their arms and ask to be lifted up? The sign for “help” is similar. Place your dominant hand, curled into a thumbs up, on top of the flat palm of your non-dominant hand. Have them down by your waist, then move them both up your body like the bottom hand is lifting the top hand.

Baby Sign Language Chart

Okay, there you have it, the top 20 baby sign language signs! To help you and baby master them, I’ve created a free, printable one page guide for you!

Get a high-res, printable version of this chart!

• A free, printable cheat sheet.
• A clean, simple one-pager.

And Don’t Forget…

If you’re getting discouraged, take a deep breath and keep at it. Sign language takes patience and lots of repetition. Even if it seems like baby isn’t grasping the concept at first, you might be surprised when they sign “milk” out of the blue! Your hard work will  eventually pay off.

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• When Do Babies Start Talking?
• When Do Babies Eyes Change Color? Will They Stay Blue?
• When Can Babies See? The Fascinating Way Eyesight Develops
• See 22 Comments

Add Comment

About the author.

Genevieve Howland is a childbirth educator and breastfeeding advocate. She is the bestselling author of The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth and creator of the Mama Natural Birth Course . A mother of three, graduate of the University of Colorado, and YouTuber with over 130,000,000 views, she helps mothers and moms-to-be lead healthier and more natural lives.

22 Comments

Yohannathomas apr 11 at 11:47 pm, yohannathomas apr 11 at 11:45 pm, maxistey nov 29 at 4:17 am.

Oh, how difficult it was for me to teach my child sign language, it was difficult. I thought that this was the most difficult thing that awaited me, but no, because he doesn’t understand the teacher well at school and doesn’t do his homework well. So I had to turn to an website that writes essays for help. I didn’t even think that such services even existed, they help me and my child very well!

katie mckenny Sep 12 at 4:52 am

I LOVE the style of these flash cards! I use them in my toddler classroom and would love some more like “no”/”stop,” “sit,” “diaper,” “clean up,” “outside/playground,” “friend,” “teacher,” “mine/want,” etc.

Allison Jun 23 at 1:15 pm

This is awesome! I took ASL in high school and haven’t used it since but I’m so excited to try this with my baby!

jerry Apr 12 at 2:48 am

Before a baby can speak, infant sign language is a wonderful skill to use. To teach it to your infant, follow our step-by-step instructions, which come with a visual cheat sheet.

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Chloe Kimberly Feb 6 at 6:54 pm

I tried teaching this to my baby, but she didn’t seem to comprehend the signs. I think it’s to complex for her, which is probably why she is making up her own signs which I don’t quite understand. Is there an easier version of baby sign language, or do I have to struggle with understanding what my baby is asking for?

Laura Mar 22 at 10:37 am

Try sticking with one sign at a time. We started with More, it does take awhile for them to pick it up. My son has his own version of more but I understand what he means and show him the proper sign every time. He will be 15 months and he knows more, and milk. He will do All done some times but I’m working on that one. We also started eat, help and water.

Ellie Parker Feb 6 at 6:39 pm

Wow! This is amazing. It was a bit difficult to follow at first, but after a lot of practice, my kids began to ace this. Thank you for sharing this. I really appreciate it.

Ashley Simone Feb 6 at 6:45 pm

I agree! Baby sign language is AMAZING! It really helped my 6 month old and I communicate better. All I used to hear was babbling and screaming, but now I hear nothing. I just see little baby hands making signs.

Mary S. Aug 20 at 6:56 am

I’m sorry, I don’t understand how a 9 months old baby will ask for water using this “w” sign with its tiny fingers. I don’t think it is possible for them to repeat some of these signs.

Alyssa Dec 28 at 9:16 am

Hi Mary! I can see how it would feel this way. I did baby sign with my oldest who is now 3 almost 4yo and am now using it with my second baby. And they absolutely do sign to you about their needs once they know it is an option and that that form of communication works (ie their needs are consistently met when they communicate them). While they may not be able to do some of the signs exactly as they are depicted babies typically have their own ways of doing each sign and you both learn together so you learn when they do x,y,or z they mean hungry etc and typically it will be somewhat similar to what you have been teaching them. For example my baby now just puts his hands together for more and kind of vocalizes it with me with a “momo” sound just as I model it to him by saying “more” as I do the sign, but he doesn’t have his hands in that sandwich shape and doesn’t move them back and forth. But we both know what he means by it. I will continue to model the specific sign and as he develops more his sign will look more like what I am modeling. It is all a process. =) It has also been found in research that babies will babble with sign language so just like how babies verbally babble and have their own language in an essence they will do something similar with sign language if given the tool. I hope this helps!

Markous Apr 18 at 1:04 am

It’s a great you are very amazing ❤️

Cynthia Mar 8 at 7:35 pm

I speak fluently in sign language. I think this is awesome! All this information is great! I love the drawings and the description of how to sign! It’s lovely and detailed. Thanks for sharing this with mom/caregivers!

Heather Jul 2 at 11:36 am

I appreciate your book and website. Just wondering if you have consulted members of the deaf community in putting together this information?

JE Feb 10 at 6:27 pm

It’s BABY SIGN not ASL

Clare Jun 24 at 9:42 am

I’m confused a little as the drawings don’t match the descriptions for “I love you” and “dog”. Am I missing something? Thanks!!

Kaylyn Nov 17 at 3:50 am

Was wondering the same thing.

Valentine m liao May 2 at 3:29 pm

Thanks for people like me after diving In pool in accident. Blew out ear drums. Signings help me to keep talk to the world with out hearing it. Mouth it.or watch them. Thanks. For the info. Communication to people.

Sarah Schex Jun 10 at 2:14 pm

Great post! We did baby signs with our oldest (now just over two) and this reminded me to start with our four-month-old. Signing was wonderful – it helped communication so much, circumvented virtually all communication-related temper tantrums, increased his communication confidence and my mothering confidence, and jump-started his language development. He was an early and very competent talker and I’m sure signing had something to do with it. It was really fun, too!

One tip: Feel free to make up signs and go with your baby’s made-up signs, too! Even if you try to teach all proper ASL signs, his “baby talk” version will be different, and the real purpose is communication between baby and the caregivers closest to them, so it’s ok if they aren’t the “official” versions.

Cailey May 7 at 7:10 pm

Thanks for the tips! I’ve been thinking of starting this soon with my baby.. what age do you recommend starting?

Elle Park Mar 8 at 12:53 pm

It says on the article to begin around 4months although I started on my LG from birth. They may not have to eyesight yet to clearly see the signs but they will understand mom/dad uses their hands to communicate too and will be like second nature to see it coming from you. Earlier is better but it’s never too late!

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How to Sign 50 Words in Baby Sign Language

Before you can teach your baby sign language, you need to learn to sign yourself! From basic baby signs like "mommy" and "more" to more complex ones like "stroller," this animated slideshow of 50 signs has every word your baby needs. Think of it as your fool-proof sign language dictionary.

GETTY IMAGES

• Hold one hand, palm up, in front of you.
• Curl your other hand into a fist with your thumb pointingg up. Place it on top of your other palm.
• Raise your palm and fist a few inches up.
• Clench both hands into fists in front of your body, knuckles pointing toward you.
• Turn hands outward, extending your fingers.

With your palm on your chest, rub your hand in a circle.

• RELATED : 11 Basic Baby Sign Language Words to Teach Your Baby First
• Squeeze together the tips of your fingers on each hand to form two points.
• Touch the tips of each point together, then separate.
• Repeat step two a few times.
• Place one hand palm up in front of you and another hand (palm facing your body) at your chin.
• Lower the hand at your face to meet the hand in front of you.
• Hold one hand flush against your chest.
• Brush that hand up and tilt it outward at about 45 degrees from your body.
• With your head tilted down, place both hands in front of your face with fingers spread apart.
• Drop your fingers down in front of your chest.
• Place one hand in front of your face, palm facing you.
• Close your hand to a fist and drop it to your chin, closing your eyes.
• Drag that fist downward, eyes still closed.
• Hold your hand up to your mouth as if you were drinking from a glass.
• Tilt head back as if taking a sip.
• Squeeze the tips of your fingers together to form a point, and place that hand in front of your pursed lips.
• Bring your hand away from your mouth, then back to it.
• Place your hands, palms touching, in front of you.
• With the heels of your palms touching, rotate your hands back and forth.
• Put one hand in front of you, palm facing up.
• Cup your other hand and place your fingertips on top of the other palm.
• Rotate your hand back and forth.
• Cup one hand, palm facing up, in front of you.
• Using the pointer and middle fingers of your other hand, pretend to scoop out of your cupped hand.
• Make your hand into a fist, keeping the knuckle of your pointer finger extended a little farther than the other fingers.
• Place that hand on your cheek near your mouth and rotate that hand back and forth.

Tilting your head to the side with your eyes closed, lay your cheek against the palm of your hand.

• RELATED : A Week-by-Week Guide to Developmental Milestones During a Baby's First Year

Pull both hands up from your waist to end with both fists clutching in front of you to mimic the motion of pulling up a blanket.

• With your hands at your side, extend your pointer and middle fingers, tucking in the rest of your fingers.
• Tap your extended fingers against your thighs.
• Extend one arm.
• With your palm facing your bicep and forearm, sweep your opposite hand along your arm in an arc.
• Continue sweeping your hand until it reaches your palm, then sweep it in the other direction.
• Hold both palms together in front of you.
• Using the inside edges of your palms as a hinge, tilt your hands open, so your palms face up.
• In front of your nose, curl your pointer finger in and tuck in the rest of the fingers on that hand.
• Tilt your head down, allowing the hand to follow.
• Curl your fingers to touch and arrange your hands, one on top of the other, in front of your mouth. Position your hands and head, so they're tilted upward.
• Expand your hands as if holding on to an inflated balloon.
• Place a hand flat on top of your head
• Raise and lower it.
• Clutch both hands into fists in front of your shoulders.
• Mimicking the motion of putting on a jacket, bring your hands in front of your chest.

Form your index finger into a hook and place it in front of your mouth.

• RELATED : 10 Ways to Boost Baby's Language Development
• Spread out the fingers of one hand.
• Touch the thumb of that hand to the side of the chin several times
• Touch the thumb of that hand to the side of the forehead several times.
• Touch the thumb of that hand to the side of the chin.
• Make two sweeping arcs in front of you with that hand.
• Touch the thumb of that hand to the side of the forehead.
• Start with your hand open at the side of your forehead.
• Close that hand as if you were grabbing the brim of a baseball cap.
• Meet the index finger of that hand to the index finger of your other hand in front of you, tucking in all other fingers.
• Start with the thumb of your hand touching the side of your forehead.
• Sweep that hand down to your chin.
• Cradle your arms as if holding a baby.
• Rock arms back and forth.

Starting up near your shoulders in front of your body, open and close your fingers as if they were falling raindrops.

• RELATED : When Do Babies Start Talking?
• Pinch together your thumb and pointer fingers, splaying out the other fingers on your hand.
• Drag that hand up and away from your face a few inches, as if you were tracing a cat's whiskers.

With your hand at your side, tap your hip a couple of times, as if you were calling a dog .

• RELATED : 9 Ways to Help Your Child's Language Development
• Place your arms in front of you, so your fingertips touch and your elbows are splayed out (as if your arms were the roof of a house).
• Bring your hands parallel to one another as if you were holding the sides of a house.
• Drag your hands down as if tracing the side walls to the ground.
• Bring your hands, wrists touching and palms facing you, to one side of your body.
• Wave your hands up and out.

Pretend to hold onto and turn a steering wheel in front of your body.

• RELATED : A Month-By-Month Guide to Speech Development
• Place both hands in front of you as if holding on to a baby stroller .
• Push outward and pull back in toward your body.

With one hand, lower your middle and ring finger toward your palm, keeping your thumb, pointer, and pinky fingers up.

Crossing your arms in front of your body, grab either bicep. (It's OK to rock back and forth a little as you give yourself a big bear hug !)

• Move hands to your cheek to plant the kiss .

With your shoulders slightly raised, clench both hands in front of your body, by your shoulders. (You can shiver a little bit, too, for effect.)

• RELATED : Out of the Mouths of Babes: Funny First Words
• Bring the pointer fingers of both hands together, tucking your other fingers into your palm.
• Pull your fingers apart, then bring them back together.
• Arrange your hands so that your palms face your body and the outside edges of your hands touch.
• Slide your hands apart from one another.
• Arrange your hands so that your palms face your body, and the outside edges of your hands are a few inches apart.
• Slide your hands together.
• Point both pointer fingers outward on each hand, tucking in the rest of the fingers.
• One side at a time, bring your pointer finger under your eye and slide it (as if it were a tear) down your cheek. Repeat on the other side.
• Hold each hand in front of you so that your pointer and pinky fingers are sticking out, but the rest of your fingers on each hand are tucked into your palm.
• Rotate each hand at your wrist a few times.
• Use your other hand to bisect that palm with a chopping motion.
• Place both pointer fingers (with the rest of your fingers tucked into your hands) in front of you in opposite directions.
• Roll those fingers over one another.
• Place your pointer fingers on either side of your mouth.
• Drag fingers up toward your cheeks, mouth forming a smile.

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How to Teach Your Baby Sign Language

Verywell / Photo Illustration by Madelyn Goodnight / Getty Images

Types of Sign Language

Benefits of bsl, when to start signing with your baby.

• How to Teach BSL

First Signs to Use

• When Your Baby Won't Sign Back

When to Stop Signing

Baby Sign Language (BSL) is a modified version of American Sign Language (ASL). Some parents use it to help preverbal infants communicate their needs to their caregivers.

Babies can sign before they are developmentally able to express themselves verbally. So BSL lets infants as young as 6 months ask for things like milk or a diaper change , reducing overall fussiness and enhancing the infant-caregiver bond .

This article explains how to teach your baby sign language, the benefits of BSL, and which signs are most helpful as you begin.

BSL is a specific form of sign language developed for use with preverbal infants. BSL is not the same as other sign languages used in the deaf community, such as ASL.

Used by babies to communicate with caregivers

Derived from ASL

No grammar rules

Language used in the American deaf and hard of hearing community

Includes grammar rules

ASL is a language used by the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. It is a comprehensive form of communication complete with grammar rules and usage conventions.

BSL is adapted from ASL, but it has a different purpose. Some baby signs are modified or simplified to make them easier for infants to repeat, and there are no grammar rules.

BSL is a supplement to the spoken word. It helps infants who can't form words communicate their needs with their caregivers. Babies generally stop signing when they develop the ability to speak .

There is some controversy surrounding research on the benefits of BSL. One sticking point is that hearing people modify and use sign language intended for the deaf community. Another is that research on the topic has produced conflicting results.

Researchers acknowledge that BSL is a fun, engaging, and instructive way to interact with babies. However, they caution against promoting it to advance language, literacy, and cognition because it does not have empirical evidence to support those claims.

Anecdotally, plenty of people have experienced positive results from using BSL. "The biggest benefit of BSL is the bonding and connection that develops between adults and babies that use this early form of communication," says Sheryl White , certified instructor of Joseph Garcia's International Sign 2 Me Presenters Network. "Babies can become more secure with the trust that develops naturally."

Other benefits include better communication and less frustration.

Better Communication

The primary benefit of baby sign language is better communication between babies and their caregivers. Infants can understand spoken language long before they can talk, which is why it's so important to speak to babies from birth. Giving babies the tools to express themselves before they are verbal allows them to communicate better, too.

Less Frustration

If babies can understand words, the presumption is that they can conceive of ideas (like "I want more oatmeal"), but they can't directly express the idea before they are verbal. Sign language, then, offers an alternative to crying . Moreover, it lets a parent know what their baby needs.

Start signing with your baby when they are around 6 months old . This age is the ideal time since infants hit a developmental period for gestures at some point between 6 and 12 months, usually around the 9 month point. So, familiarizing your baby with some signs early will help them comprehend before they start to mimic.

"Babies usually start signing when they have developed the skill and are physically able to wave and clap intentionally," says White. "The exact age of this varies based on the individual baby's own timeline."

Sometime between 6 and 9 months, you will likely see your baby sign for the first time if you have introduced baby signs a couple of months preceding.

It is completely fine to start signing later when your baby is already gesturing. However, regardless of when you begin, be ready to sign consistently for some time before your baby picks it up.

There is no harm in beginning earlier than 6 months. You can start as early as you'd like. Some parents find that signing from the start helps them develop the habit. This habit is important because consistency and patience are key in teaching your baby to sign.

Click Play to Learn How to Teach Your Baby Sign Language

Step-by-step for how to teach bsl.

To teach your baby BSL, decide which signs you want to use, learn how to gesture them correctly, and be consistent.

Choose the Most Useful Signs

It's a good idea to plan out the signs you will use ahead of time and choose signs relevant to your baby's needs. You may want to begin with just a few signs and add more as you get used to them. However, there is no such thing as too many signs for the baby—just as too many spoken words won't negatively impact spoken language.

Learn How to Sign

Watching videos can be very helpful when learning signs, as they often include a motion, which can be difficult to convey with a two-dimensional illustration.

While videos are a helpful tool for you, they are not suitable for your infant . Your baby learns best from direct interaction with you. So instead, use screens to help you understand what to teach your child.

Be Consistent

When teaching BSL, consistency is critical. When you want to introduce a sign, sign it every time you say the word, at the same time that you say the word. That way, your baby will learn to associate the sign with the word.

For example, when nursing or giving your baby a bottle, clearly say, "milk," and simultaneously make the sign for milk (an open and closed fist). Build these signs into your daily routine.

Get All Caregivers on Board

If other adults take care of your little one, it is ideal if they are on board with signing, too. The more your baby sees the signs, the more they will internalize them. It's also essential for all caregivers to be familiar with the baby's signs to communicate with them.

The most valuable signs to teach your baby are the ones that will help them get their needs met. Think of all the reasons your little one might fuss or cry . Maybe they are sleepy, or their stomach is grumbling. Or perhaps they want to be held.

Here are some helpful ideas for first signs to teach your baby:

BSL Table Signs

Sign language can help reduce behavior issues when it comes to feeding. For example, little ones often get worked up when they want more food. Without another way to express their desire, they may scream or cry to get their point across.

On the other hand, babies often throw food off the high chair to communicate that they are finished. BSL can solve these issues by giving your baby another way to express themselves.

The following baby signs will help when your infant begins to eat solid foods:

Potty Training Signs

Part of learning to use the toilet is communicating when you need to go. Babies become aware of their physical facilities earlier than they can say, "I have to go potty." Signing may allow you to succeed with potty training at an earlier age.

Potty signs to teach your baby:

• Potty (Toilet)

Other Useful Signs

There are many other potential helpful signs depending on your family and your baby's unique needs or preferences. Some of them may include:

Since every family and baby is different, you should choose the signs that fit your baby's most immediate needs. Often, words that will limit frustration around eating, using the bathroom, or addressing family members are an excellent place to start.

What If Your Baby Won't Sign Back?

Don't be discouraged when your baby doesn't sign back right away or seem to react at all when you sign. Just as it takes time for babies to say their first words, they need time to observe and internalize signs before attempting to make signs themselves.

Sheryl White

Have fun with it and do not have expectations of when they will understand and sign back. Just use signs in your daily life and eventually they will catch on.

Your baby's first try at signing will not likely look exactly like the sign either. So, be on the lookout for waves of the hand that may be attempts at signing, and offer lots of encouragement.

Baby signs enhance communication between you and your baby by bridging the gap between what they can understand and what they can communicate.

Signing will likely dissipate naturally once your little one can speak enough to express their needs verbally.

That being said, there is no reason to stop signing if you don't want to. Signing has not been found to negatively impact oral language development . Your baby will likely stop on their own once they get their needs met with their spoken words.

If you want to continue signing with your child or keep signing certain words, go right ahead!

A Word From Verywell

BSL is derived from ASL, and it is intended as a temporary form of communication for pre-verbal babies. Though can start at any time, an excellent time to begin signing with your baby is around 6 months old. Beginning early gives them plenty of time to observe and understand the signs before they start gesturing and mimicking, typically around 6 to 9 months old.

When teaching your baby sign language, consistency is the key. Always sign the word you want your baby to use every time you use it. Eventually, your baby will be able to communicate their needs with less frustration.

Seal B. About Baby Signing . 2010;15(13). doi:10.1044/leader.FTR5.15132010.np

Michigan State University. Baby sign language: A helpful communication tool .

By Elisa Cinelli Elisa is a well-known parenting writer who is passionate about providing research-based content to help parents make the best decisions for their families. She has written for well-known sites including POPSUGAR and Scary Mommy, among others.

How to Teach Your Baby Sign Language

Medical review policy, latest update:.

Updates throughout to expert sources, text, guidelines and formatting.

What is baby sign language?

Read this next, the best signs to teach baby, how to teach baby sign language, benefits of baby sign language, will sign language slow my baby’s verbal development, does baby sign language improve verbal skills.

Inevitably, some nonverbal communication will make its way into the mix on baby’s side, whether it’s gestures like pointing or assorted grunts and squeals — all of which can be surprisingly effective. And w hether you choose to sign or not, the words will eventually flow, and the communication gap will close. 

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How to teach your baby sign language: 10 common baby signs

Pediatric sleep consultant

I’ll be honest with you - I'm incredibly passionate about baby sign language, having seen the amazing impact it had on my children's ability to communicate. It’s also just a really fun way to interact with your kiddo!

But I’m not going to tell you that you must use baby sign language to improve language skills and bonding between you and your hearing child. It’s one tool. We all have our parenting toolkits and need to fill them with what works best for our individual families. That said, using this tool daily may just make your life easier (and better!) — so, why not give it a try?

IN THIS ARTICLE:

How to teach your baby sign language

When do i start baby sign language, benefits of baby sign language, 7 more signs to teach your baby.

Baby sign language FAQ  

It may sound daunting, but teaching your hearing baby to use sign language can actually be pretty simple. Don’t worry! You don’t need to set aside extra time for signing. Instead, you can start by choosing a few signs in American Sign Language [ 1 ] and incorporate them into your daily activities. Here are six tips to get started.

Tip #1 Choose commonly used words

Pick common baby signs for words that you frequently use and are easy to remember. For example, it’s common to start with basic signs related to food. Try milk [ 2 ], more [ 3 ], and all done [ 4 ]. 

Example: Let’s take a look at an example with a 6 - 7 month old baby. When it’s time for breastmilk or formula you can ask your baby if they’re ready for milk while squeezing your fist at the same time you say “milk.” When your baby is in the high chair eating solids, you can pause between bites and ask them if they want “more” while bringing your fingertips together. At the end of each meal, you can be “all done” while turning your palms toward them and then back toward you.

Tip #2 Repeat, repeat, repeat

Repetition is essential. Try to use the sign every time you say the word throughout the day for the best results. 

Tip #3 Accompany, not replace

Be sure to make the hand gesture as you verbally say the words. The sign is meant to accompany, not replace, the spoken word. This will help your baby link the visual gesture to the verbal sounds.

Tip #4 Add signs as you go

Add more basic signs to your repertoire once you get the hang of your starter signs. Remember to look for words that: (a) you’ll use frequently, (b) are easy for you to remember, and (c) are relevant to your baby’s care or interests.

Tip #5 Be patient

Patience is important, especially if you begin using sign language when your baby is young (4 - 6 months). It can be a couple of months before you see the return on your investment. Don’t be discouraged! Once your little one’s fine motor skills start to develop (around 8 - 9 months), they’ll be able to start using their hands to communicate effectively even though they’re preverbal. How amazing is that?

Tip #6 Include other caregivers

Be sure to let your child’s other caregivers know how to perform the signs. Not only will this help your kiddo learn faster, but it also helps ensure that your baby is understood when they start signing back. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests starting around 6 months old [ 5 ]. They note that you can start earlier, but you’ll likely need to wait longer to see any payoff. Hearing babies who are taught ASL signs often start using hand gestures to communicate around 8 or 9 months old.

Despite widespread claims that baby sign language promotes speech, and enhances spoken language development or verbal communication, there’s not much evidence [ 6 ] to support this, especially beyond 24 months of age. However, there are plenty of other potential benefits of teaching sign language to your hearing child. Here are some of them:

A bridge for communication

Baby sign language can empower babies and toddlers to communicate needs and wants with caregivers before they’re verbal. Plus, it's so rewarding to watch as they start to understand what you're saying and are able to express themselves in a way they couldn't before.

Minimize frustration

When caregivers have to guess what a baby needs or wants, this can lead to frustration on both sides. Parents may spend less time guessing what their kiddo is trying to tell them, which can cut down on misunderstandings, frustration, and tantrums.

More bonding opportunities

Practicing baby sign language can provide unique opportunities to tune into your child’s interests. For instance, when my son was a toddler he was fascinated by our washing machine and he regularly used sign language to convey that he wanted to visit it (and spend some time pushing the buttons on it). This would have taken much more effort and guesswork if we had only had his pointing and grunting to guide me. Sadly, his interest in laundry did not continue into the teen years. 

Increased cognitive development

Can baby sign language boost brain power? Anecdotally it’s common to hear that kids who use baby sign language have larger vocabularies, along with better skills in spelling and reading. There’s also evidence to support that sign language may lead to greater IQ scores.

One study [ 7 ] examined the cognitive development of former baby sign language users at 8 years of age. The authors concluded that baby sign language used during infancy and toddlerhood was associated with higher intellectual functioning in the early school years.

Enhance hunger and satiety cues

Researchers [ 8 ] have explored using baby sign language as a tool to help parents of preverbal children understand when a child is hungry and when they’re full. This can help support lifelong healthy eating habits. 

In addition to milk, more, and all done consider teaching the following signs. We're rather partial to signs that help children get ready for bedtime:

Bed [ 9 ] or sleep [ 10 ]— Use these signs during your bedtime routine and eventually your little one will be able to tell you when they’re tired without any tears.

Book [ 11 ] — If bedtime stories are part of your bedtime routine , adding the sign can help ensure that storytime is a strong cue that it’s time to transition from play to sleep.

Diaper [ 12 ] — So your child can let you know when they want a diaper change.

Morning [ 13 ]— Greeting your child with a cheerful “good morning!” is a good way to help distinguish between nighttime and daytime when you have an early riser . 

Eat [ 14 ] — Once your baby starts eating solids, you can use this sign to talk about meal time and add specific foods as you go.

Dog, cat, or other animals — If you have a pet or see animals [ 15 ] around your home or in books, adding the sign can be a fun way to focus on furry friends.

Help — Since the ASL sign for help [ 16 ] requires two hands, some families like to choose their own substitute gesture that can easily be made with one hand.

Anything else that interests your child in their environment! My son loved to stare at the ceiling fan from his crib so it wasn’t a surprise when that was his first sign.

Baby sign language FAQ

Q: can baby sign language delay speech.

No, not as long as the caregivers continue to speak to the child as they sign. Numerous studies have explored the impact of baby sign language on language development, and no studies have reported any adverse effects on typical language development.

Q: Why use baby sign language?

Baby sign language is a fun and effective way to communicate with your baby or toddler before they are able to speak.

Q: How long does it take babies to learn sign language?

This depends on the age and fine motor skill development of your child, as well as when you started the process. Some babies reportedly sign back as early as 4 - 6 months old, but it’s more common to see babies start signing between 8 - 9 months old.

Q: What age should you start baby sign language?

You can start from birth, but your baby won’t be able to sign back until they’re older. The AAP recommends starting around 6 months old.

Q: Does baby sign language work?

Caregivers are able to teach baby sign language to preverbal hearing children by incorporating gestures (alongside the spoken words) into their everyday tasks. It can help reduce frustration by allowing children to communicate their needs before they can verbalize them, as well as improve communication and understanding between a child and their caregivers. Signing can also help promote a connection between parent and child, as it allows for an interactive and meaningful form of communication. It’s a win-win!

Note: The content on this site is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from your doctor, pediatrician, or medical professional. If you have questions or concerns, you should contact a medical professional.

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (2021). American Sign Language. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/american-sign-language

BabySignLanguage.com (2021). Milk. https://babysignlanguage.com/dictionary/milk/

BabySignLanguage.com (2021). More. https://babysignlanguage.com/dictionary/more/

BabySignLanguage.com (2021). All done. https://babysignlanguage.com/dictionary/all-done/

American Academy of Pediatrics (2022). Baby Sign Language: These Hands Were Made for Talking. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/These-Hands-Were-Made-for-Talking.aspx

Fitzpatrick, et al. (2014). How handy are baby signs? A systematic review of the impact of gestural communication on typically developing, hearing infants under the age of 36 months. Sage Journals. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0142723714562864

Goodwyn, et al. (2000). Impact of Symbolic Gesturing on Early Language Development. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior. https://pursuitofresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Impact-of-Symbolic-Gesturing.pdf

Paul, et al. (2019). Maternal & Child Nutrition. Exploring infant signing to enhance responsive parenting: Findings from the INSIGHT study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6594880/

American Sign Language University. http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-signs/b/bed.htm

Babysignlanguage.com (2021). Sleep. https://babysignlanguage.com/dictionary/sleep/

American Sign Language University. https://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-signs/b/book.htm

Signing Time (2023). Diaper. https://www.signingtime.com/dictionary/diaper/

American Sign Language University. https://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-signs/m/morning.htm

Mayo Clinic (2023). Eat. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/multimedia/baby-sign-language-eat/img-20006733#

South Dakota School for the Deaf (2017). Animal & Family Signs in ASL. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx2FIJQq2Go

ASL Kids (2016). Help in sign language. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziypTZ7HGR4

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Tips for Teaching Baby Sign Language

Teaching baby sign language to your little one could help you communicate with each other before your baby learns how to speak. Find out more about the potential benefits of baby sign language, get some tips for teaching it to your baby, and learn some of the basic signs that you can get started with.

What Is Baby Sign Language?

Baby sign language has become pretty trendy in the past 20 years—you probably know of some hit movies that have featured it! The popularity of sign language may be due in part to the fact that many babies can be taught to use their hands to "talk" sooner than they can learn speech. Of course, it will take time before your baby has the dexterity to use his hands in that way. Baby sign language may be a way for your baby to communicate starting at about 8 or 9 months old or a little later on. It's important to know that baby sign language is different from the sign language that is used by the hearing impaired. In some cases baby sign language uses modified gestures from American Sign Language, making it similar but not the same. Keep in mind that teaching your baby sign language is optional. It’s just one tool you could use to communicate with your little one at a time when your baby may have something to say but can’t yet communicate with speech.

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When Should You Start Teaching Your Baby Sign Language?

You can start teaching baby sign language early in infancy—experts suggest starting at around 6 or 7 months . Just be aware that babies probably won’t be able to communicate using baby sign language until they are at least 8 months old .

Basic Baby Sign Language Chart

Check out the following baby sign language chart for some of the most practical signs you can teach your baby. Teaching her these signs may turn out to be useful, such as when she’s trying to express that she wants more milk or her dad.

How to Teach Basic Baby Sign Language

The good news is that learning baby sign language and teaching it to your little one isn't that difficult, though the process will require consistent effort, lots of repetition, and patience on your part. Here are some tips for teaching baby sign language to your baby:

Start simple. Pick a few signs that would be meaningful for your child. For example, if his favorite activity is going to the park, teach him the sign for “park.” Here’s a list of 30 simple and basic baby sign language signs that you could choose from (most are shown in the chart above):

Get interactive. As you go about your daily activities with your baby, include the appropriate sign. Try signing the word diaper while you’re changing her, food when you’re feeding her, or book when you’re reading her a bedtime story. Go ahead and sign words like eat or drink during mealtimes, or daddy when your child’s father walks into the room.

Develop a routine. Sit your baby on your lap with his back to your stomach, and show him the signs by articulating his arms and hands while saying the word you are signing. Repetition will be the key to his learning, so take every opportunity to sign. Try to sign with him every day. In time your baby will learn to connect the word with the sign, and may start to use it.

Give it time. Don’t get frustrated or discouraged if your baby doesn’t pick up on sign language as quickly as you had hoped, or if she doesn’t get the signs quite right the first time. As with all new skills, learning baby sign language takes time.

Make it fun. Signing lessons can be the perfect time for bonding with your little one. Give lots of encouragement when your baby signs a word by praising, kissing, or hugging him. Make the lessons even more fun by signing and singing popular songs and lullabies , like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” or “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” and selecting some key words from the songs to sign to him. If you find that you’re not enjoying teaching baby sign language, you might consider not doing it.

Keep speaking. Just because your baby knows how to communicate using baby sign language doesn’t mean you should be talking to her any less frequently. Signing shouldn’t and doesn't take the place of speaking. Continue talking to your baby as often as you can, encouraging her responses, and keep enjoying storytime together.

Let others know you’re signing. Offer to teach other family members and friends who will care for or interact with your baby the basic signs so that they can recognize your baby’s signs. If someone else is teaching your baby, make sure you also learn the signs that are being taught to your baby so that you can understand what your baby is signing to you.

For more on how to teach your little one baby sign language, consult your child’s healthcare provider, who may recommend a book or online course on the subject. There may even be classes at your local community center.

What Are the Benefits of Using Baby Sign Language?

Baby sign language can be a useful communication tool for babies, and also an ideal bonding opportunity for both of you. Baby sign language gives babies and young toddlers (between 8 months and 2 years) a way to communicate before they can say their first words . This may ease some of the frustration they might feel when they’re not able to say what they feel, want, or need yet. Knowing that your baby can convey some of those basic wants and needs through signing may take some of the guesswork out of parenting, too, as your little one will be able to tell you if she’s hungry or cold, for example.

Can Teaching Your Baby Sign Language Promote or Delay Speech?

There isn’t enough evidence yet to prove that baby sign language can help promote language development , literacy, or cognitive skills. However, there is a chance that it can benefit those babies who have developmental delays. Continuing to talk to your baby while also signing is important so your baby doesn’t fall behind in speech development. Contact your baby’s healthcare provider for personalized guidance on whether baby sign language is right for your little one.

The Bottom Line

Baby sign language can be an effective form of communication between you and your baby in those months before your baby or young toddler can express herself with speech. With consistent effort, you can teach your baby basic actions to sign that may help him communicate a specific want or need, like needing a drink or wanting more food to eat. It’s important to keep speaking to your little one alongside teaching baby sign language to ensure that her speech development stays on track. If you’ve decided baby sign language is something you’d like to teach your little one, find ways to make it fun and enjoy these shared bonding moments. Be consistent and stick with it. You’ll be so proud when you see your baby telling you something with his hands for the first time.

How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.

• Mayo Clinic: Is baby sign language worthwhile?
• Healthy Children: These Hands Were Made for Talking

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How to teach a baby sign language with one easy method

Learning how to decipher what a baby’s cry means  can be a daunting and frustrating task. Does the cry mean it’s time for a diaper change or is the baby hungry? Babies understand words before they are able to communicate with parents verbally. Between the ages of 12 and 18 months, most babies begin putting sounds together to form words. Until then, finding out what baby wants can be a series of tries and fails. This is where sign language comes in. Sign language allows deaf and hearing-impaired individuals to communicate through visual gestures or signs. Many are left wondering how to teach a baby sign language to help baby express themself.

When should you begin teaching a baby sign language?

Teach babies sign language, keep it simple, how to teach a baby to sign, signing back, common signs.

• Don’t give up

The origins of teaching babies sign language actually date back to the 19th century when linguist William Dwight Whitney made an interesting observation. Whitney noticed babies with deaf parents were already communicating with their parents at 6 months of age while babies of hearing parents didn’t begin speaking verbally for another six months or more. Dr. Joseph Garcia took Whitney’s observations further in the 80s when he began teaching sign language to non-hearing impaired families. By the 2000s, baby sign language became more than an isolated study. Today, many families are using baby sign language to communicate with their babies thanks to books and videos available with information on how to easily do so.

There are different schools of thought on when to begin baby sign language . Some experts say shortly after birth while others pinpoint a range between 2 to 4 months. Since all children develop at their own rate, there isn’t a hard and fast timetable. When babies begin focusing on their hands or noticing the hands of their parents, that’s a clue the little ones are ready to begin learning baby sign language.

Baby sign language typically uses the same signs utilized in American Sign Language, but there are differences. Sign language for babies uses simple signs. Of course, there are a multitude of books on the subject as well as videos floating around online not to mention classes. The truth is, if you want to teach your baby sign language, it doesn’t have to be complicated. With consistency, repetition, and patience, your baby will be well on their way to learning how to sign.

When parents are beginning to teach a baby basic signs, it’s important not to overwhelm the child. There are around 25 signs that are ideal for a baby’s sign language vocabulary, but those should be introduced slowly. Instead of going overboard with signs, choose three to five signs that best fit into your family’s daily needs. Meal-related signs like eat, done , and more are an ideal place to start a baby’s sign language journey.

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Teaching a baby to understand sign language is actually as simple as associating a word like eat with a gesture or sign. The most important step is to say the word at the same time as using the sign. Over time, the baby will begin to associate the sign with the word and grasp the meaning.

Tips for teaching a baby sign language

• Be sure to speak slowly and clearly.
• Signs for things like milk will be easier for baby’s to understand at first.
• Use the word and the sign consistently and have caregivers do the same.
• Be patient.

Teaching a baby sign language does take a lot of repetition and patience. If your baby isn’t signing back, don’t give up. The process does take time. Babies will begin to understand the signs before using them. It may take two months or more of signing before you start to see progress, which is why it’s important to be consistent.

The signs used for baby sign language are simple. Here are five basic signs to start with:

Eat or hungry

Babies often cry when they’re hungry, which makes this sign a perfect first one. Using your left hand, make a “c” and hold it just below your mouth. As you say eat, slide the hand slowly down to your stomach.

More please? Teach baby this easy sign by pinching together the fingers and thumb on both hands, making an o. Tap the fingers and thumb together on both hands while saying more.

This sign is perfect for letting you know when baby is finished eating or playing in the bath. Hold your hands up with the palms facing you. Then, turn the palms toward the baby while saying all done.

With this sign, baby can let you know it’s time for a nap. Hold your fingers open in front of your face with the palms facing toward you. Close your eyes as you draw your hand down to your chin to make a fist as you say sleep.

Time for some peek-a-boo? Teach baby to sign play. Make a fist with both hands, but extend the pinkies and thumbs. Start with the palms facing you and gently twist the fists from back to front while saying play.

Don’t give up

Teaching your baby sign language is a great way to open up the lines of communication as his or her verbal skills develop. Consistency, repetition, and, of course, patience are key to teaching babies sign language, but when your baby signs back at you for the first time, the process will all be worth it. Once baby knows how to better communicate with you, it will make life so much easier for the entire family.

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Math homework isn't something even parents remember as fun, but making it fun for your own kids isn't as hard as you may think. It can actually be easy to get your kid to like math! Mathematics is a foundational skill kids absolutely must learn. Yes, we all have calculators on our smartphones now, but that doesn't mean there are no math skills needed in life anymore. Basic concepts are necessary for life skills like paying bills, writing a check, tipping a waitperson, or managing a bank account, and more advanced skills are needed to get through school whether they are required in life or not. Math anxiety is real (93% of Americans deal with it!) and some kids just don't like working with numbers instead of letters, but there are ways to make it less stressful. The tips ahead will help!

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Capture the flag is a staple for kids' camps and the Boy Scouts, as well as a popular game for neighborhood kids to play, especially in nice weather. Its origins date back to the battlefields of the Civil War. Color guards were given the serious duty of protecting a regiment's flag. A battle concluded when one side gained possession of the other side's flag. The Medal of Honor was awarded to the soldiers who captured the opposition's flag.

Capture the flag has evolved into a fun, competitive game ideal for the outdoors and groups of kids, as well as a go-to game at summer day camps and sleepaway camps. If need to entertain a group of kids or even teens, you need to know the rules to teach them. Here's how to play capture the flag.

Skiing is a fantastic way to spend a cold winter's day outside, enjoying the fresh air and getting in some exercise at the same time. The best part about skiing is that it's an activity the whole family can enjoy and there are hills and instruction for children and adults of all ages and skill levels. If you love spending the day at the ski hill but are thinking your toddler is just a bit too young to join you, you may want to think again. Even toddlers can learn how to enjoy their time on the slopes. Keep reading to see how you can help your toddler safely learn how to ski.

When should I teach my toddler to ski? While there's no right or wrong answer to this question, there seems to be a consensus among ski professionals that the age of 3 is a great age for toddlers to begin learning to ski. REI notes that most ski schools will teach children beginning at that age and that within just a few days they can be skiing on their own. Although many schools may not take toddlers until the age of three, that doesn't mean that parents who ski can't begin to teach their children the basics before that. The Points Guy also points out that some ski schools are beginning to take kids as young as two and a half years old in a hybrid ski/play program. Can a 2-year-old start skiing? We know that all children are different, so while one 2-year-old may be more than ready to begin skiing, others may be more reserved. Only you know your child and whether or not they're ready to learn how to ski, but for the most part 2-year-olds who are content being outside in the colder weather and who are showing interest are fully capable of safely learning how to ski. Bloggers Bring the Kids wrote that they've been skiing with all five of their kids since they were about 18 months old, with four of their children skiing since they were just one. If you and the rest of your family are avid skiers and you want to share the love with your toddler, there's no need to wait until they're older. How do I teach my 2-year-old to ski? One of the most important parts of teaching your 2-year-old how to ski is patience. Toddlers are going to take time to learn to ski safely so you shouldn't rush them onto certain hills or trails until they're fully ready. John Guay, director of ski services at Deer Valley, explained to Salt Lake Magazine why it's better to keep younger children on more gentle terrain when they're learning to ski, ensuring the focus is on teaching control, turning, and stopping. “One of our biggest challenges is communicating with parents as to why we keep children on easier terrain and to encourage them to turn more with their feet and less with their body," he noted.

How to Teach Baby Signs – From A Speech-Language Pathologist

As a mom and a former early intervention speech-language pathologist (SLP), baby sign has been a big part of my life. I get a ton of questions about how, when, and why to use baby signs, so I thought I’d give some answers here. Keep reading to learn what baby signs are, why I use them, and how I teach them.

What is Baby Signing?

Informally speaking, baby signing is using gestures and signs based off a sign language, such as American Sign Language, with a child. When I teach baby signs, I am not actually trying to teach the language of ASL, with all its grammar and other linguistic components. Gestures used during songs like Itsy Bitsy Spider can also count as baby signing. I like this baby sign website for their dictionary of baby signs and video tutorials.

Common Baby Sign Myths

Before I get into how I typically teach signs, let’s bust a couple myths.

• Baby sign means I’m teaching my child ASL. As I said above, baby sign may incorporate some signs from ASL, but unless you are going to commit to signing ASL correctly, your baby will not be learning how to sign ASL as a language. That means that both you and your baby may sign approximations or gestures that are not considered real signs in ASL vocabulary. That’s fine! It will still serve its purpose as a baby sign.
• Baby sign will delay my child’s speaking. There is no scientific evidence that use of baby sign will delay your child’s speaking. In fact, studies have shown that a child’s use of gestures is correlated with vocabulary size later in childhood . There are many other possible reasons for a speech and language delay, and if you have a concern, the best thing to do is get your child evaluated by an SLP. This leads us to the next point, which is…

Why Use Baby Sign?

You don’t need to use baby sign. If you have a hearing child in a typical hearing family environment, baby signing is completely optional. However, as an SLP I like using baby signs both in speech therapy treatment and at home for a several reasons:

• Babies may be able to sign before they can say words, giving them a way to communicate with you effectively early on.
• When teaching language, you can’t force a child to say a word, but you can help your child sign.
• Signs and gestures are symbolic. Language is also symbolic (words are symbols for real things). Working on your child’s ability to understand symbolism through gestures can help facilitate learning language.

Got it? Baby sign is not teaching them to sign ASL fluently, and it will not delay their speech. If anything, it will help them learn language, and it may be a useful tool for your family’s communication.

So how do you actually teach baby signs?

Obviously, there’s not one right way to teach signs. I’m sure every SLP has slightly varying methods. However, when I’m teaching other parents how to use baby signs, I like to boil it down into three steps of increased cueing. In SLP talk, “cueing” refers to the amount of help you give. My three steps are the Model, Model + Pause, and Hand Over Hand.

• Model This means you show your child the sign while you say the word. Maybe you repeat it once or twice. And that’s it! Move on! Scenario: Your child points at the crackers to communicate that they want more crackers. You say “more” while doing the sign. Then you give them the cracker. Let’s say after modeling every day for a couple weeks, you don’t see your child imitating or trying the sign on their own. So you’ll move up to the next step.
• Model + Pause In this step, you model the sign and word like before, but you give a 3-5 second pause before giving them what they want. This gives them the opportunity to imitate your sign. Scenario: Your child points to the crackers. You sign and say “More?” and wait three seconds. Then you give the cracker. If you try this for a couple weeks and still don’t see any change, move to step three.
• Hand Over Hand Step three is the most amount of help you can give. Basically, you will model the sign, pause, and then physically take their hands to gently make the sign. Then give them what they want. Scenario: Your child points to the crackers. You sign and say “More?” and wait three seconds. Nothing happens. You take your child’s hands to help them sign more and give them the cracker. The important thing to remember about hand over hand is that it should really be very quick. Often, infants or toddlers may resist having you take their hands when they want something RIGHT AWAY. The last thing you want is for a fun teaching moment to turn torturous.

And that’s it! Remember that each child is different. Jemma learned to sign “all done” with just a model as early as six months old, but it took hand over hand and over three months for her to learn “more.”

I hope you find this basic guideline helpful! If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s language, please seek out an evaluation from a speech-language pathologist (your pediatrician can give you a referral but you can also self refer). And if you want to learn more about the evidence for baby signing, take a look at this ASHA article and its referenced studies.

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How to Teach Sign Language to a Baby?

• Beth Taylor
• Categories : Understanding infant development & learning
• Tags : Early education information for teachers, parents & caregivers

Children of all ages soak up information. It is mind-boggling, however, to think about the amount of information infants process in such a short span of time. They learn to recognize faces, identify sounds, and interpret both intonation and spoken words. Teaching baby sign language can be a natural extension of these skills during this period of development.

Exposure to Sign Language

Babies and very young children learn by being exposed to the world. They figure out language by simply hearing it. They learn to recognize patterns that they see, and they discover and remember texture when they touch it.

When spoken language is accompanied by consistent hand signs, babies learn to associate the sign with the spoken word.

It is no more necessary to explicitly teach an infant sign language that it is necessary to teach an infant “this is Mommy’s face” or that there is contrast in the black and white picture.

Babies pick up and process information simply by being exposed to it. It is not necessary to sit down and instruct or tutor an infant. Please do not try to extract a result, but rather, simply sign when you are talking and have no demands nor expectations of the child. Conducting a session in which you try to get the infant or toddler to sign back can do more harm than good.

Consistency When Using Signs

Consistency is extremely important. If every time a baby hears the word “Robert,” his older brother comes running, the baby will figure out that Robert = older brother. The word “sit” always seems to mean the dog will sit. For an infant to decode signs, the signs must be used with consistency.

If every time the answer is “yes,” the word is said along with a small nodding fist, the infant is most likely to associate the two.

Along with consistency comes repetition. With all ages, repetition is a key to learning. Using signs both consistently and often with little ones helps ensure their understanding.

Relevant Signs for Daily Life

It is best to use signs that are relevant to the young one’s life. Yes, no, please, and thank you are easy ones to incorporate. Hungry, thirsty, finished, and toilet are highly relevant. (The sign for “toilet” can be used for diaper changes, and later for the toilet.)

As the infant grows and becomes a toddler, more and more words will become relevant. Ball, teddy bear, airplane, etc.

Many signs are learned during “teaching moments.” For example, baby has just finished her first cup of applesauce and looks up longingly. Make the sign for ‘more,’ say the word ‘more,’ and offer more applesauce.

Simplicity and Expectations

When signing with little ones, keep it simple. Just as a toddler will speak with fewer words and broken sentences before developing eloquence, so it is with sign. “Teddy bear” will most likely mean “I want my teddy bear” or “Where is my teddy bear?”

In closing, it is best to have no expectations of the child. Parents sometimes excitedly and with the best of intentions have great expectations for their baby; this sets them up for disappointment which does not help the child.

Some children take to sign more readily than others, just like some children love to finger paint and others might prefer to run around. Some children are more talkative than others, and some children sign more than others. Sign is a valuable tool to incorporate in family communication regardless of how often a child chooses to sign. The important thing when teaching baby sign language, is do not give up. The child may be understanding, but not repeating the sign back to you yet.

Also, all children develop at their own pace. Parents don’t insist their baby roll over, but the first time he does is cause for celebration. So it is with sign.

Additional Resources

• See the signs performed.
• Baby’s first words in sign.

This post is part of the series: Teach Infants Sign Language

Developmentally appropriate practices to expose babies and toddlers to sign language.

• Teaching a Baby Sign Language
• The Advantages of Learning Sign Language Early in Life
• Cognitive Benefits of Learning Sign Language as an Infant
• Learn About Baby Signing and Infant Communication: A Book Review on “Sign With Your Baby”

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"I just wanted to let you know that you are the reason I've been getting A's in my ASL classes and to say thank you. I use your website multiple times a day, and it has fleshed out so much information about the language of ASL and the Deaf community. You have truly made a difference in my life!" -- Angie DiNardo, February 4, 2022.

Thank you Handspeak!! You were an invaluable resource for me during my interpreter education program. I came to the conclusion that your dictionary of signs were one of the best and I relied on it immensely.

"I have been struggling to figure out signs for my class. It was really beginning to wear down on me and I was getting nervous about how the rest of the semester will go. A problem that was haunting me was found in short order using the sign and contextual reference from the assignment. THANK YOU!!!! You have blessed me for sure! -- Nita"

"THANK YOU SO MUCH. This site is amazing. I am just learning ASL, and I keep this tab open on my computer and check in several times a day to form words and sentences. Very blessed for this incredible project of yours. -- A.S."

"Your website has helped me to learn ASL and about Deaf culture, both when I studied in University and now as I continue to practice and learn. I just wanted to express that I am so grateful for you and for handspeak.com- you are wonderful, thank you for creating this project!! -- Kat"

"Your website is a blessing! I often refer my ASL students to the tutorials on this site as an extracurricular resource when they needed help. -- a certified ASL instructor and Deaf native signer."

"... thank you for making such an important and useful resource for those of us on the path to fluency in the language and art of American Sign Language. Your Handspeak website has provided me with countless hours of invaluable insight and dare I say entertainment. You're a beautiful person, and your work is thoroughly appreciated." -- Patrick Ryan (Minnesota), 2015.

"Handspeak is such a great online ASL lexicon, and it is very helpful. My TA's recommended it over other online ASL dictionaries. Thank you again! -- J.Y., 2017"

"Our daughter is so much happier that she can tell us what she wants and needs. Much less crying, much more laughing! Thank you for this site, the best of its kind on the web."

"We use the site in our homeschooling, as a second language, for our 9-year-old child who does really well with homeschooling. He's exceptionally bright, very active, inquisitive and challenging. Your site has captured his interest and he is intrigued."

"I scuba dive, and being able to use sign language while diving would expand the experience greatly. -- L. Niles"