Using American Sign Language (ASL) with your infant and toddler is something anyone can do, and it can greatly help aid in communication between parent and child. Research has also shown that it aids in cognitive development, and that children who sign in their early years generally have advanced vocabulary skills*. I am loving it with baby Squiggles and though he’s only 9 months old and can only do one sign, I am excited that we are already bridging the gap in communication between us.

You can start showing your baby signs at any time. I started between 5-6 months old; however if you have a toddler they will probably be able to start picking up the signs almost right away! There is no time too late or too early. I started with the things that baby S and I do most during the day – the number one thing? Nursing! We use the sign for milk. Our other favorites signs to start with are:

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When starting out we kept it simple. We signed “milk” during feedings, we signed “eat” during mealtime and “more” when he was obviously whining for more to eat. As he is getting older, and when he starts signing more things back to us, we will continue to add more signs. I hope to be able to teach him to sign specific foods, drinks, hot, cold, shoes, daddy, mommy, park and more! The sky is the limit with signing. My doctor told me her children still love signing and they are elementary age.

Repetition is key! We all know that babies thrive on routine; doing the same thing repeatedly is the best way to teach them. It is really hard to remember to do the sign each and every time you do each activity, and that is okay. However the more consistently you use the signs throughout each day, the more likely your baby will surprise you by signing back sooner than you might expect! Every time baby S nurses, I get him situated and ask if he wants “milk” while signing for it. As he’s nursing, I also use the sign repeatedly, “Do you like your “milk” baby? It’s so good! Can you say “milk”?” Communicating with your child is definitely the best way to encourage them to do the same.

When it is mealtime I exclaim, “It is time to “eat!” while signing for “eat.” Baby S takes his food very seriously and as early as 6 months he was starting to throw fits when I didn’t give him his food fast enough. I had to respond calmly and ask him, “Would you like “more” Cobi? You say, “more please!” It takes a lot of repetition and you may not see results for months. I know some babies who spent their time absorbing all the new information, but still didn’t sign until they were over a year old. Some babies sign as early at 6 months and it all varies according to each baby. Baby S signed his first sign just before he was 8 months old.

Baby S learned “more” first while we were signing at mealtime. He was pitching a fit because I wasn’t feeding him as quickly as he would have liked. I signed “more please” each time I gave him more to help reiterate how he should ask. About halfway through dinner he stopped whining in between bites and signing! He signed “more” at least ten times during that meal.

Later that week we saw him signing “more” in situations other than mealtime and eventually realized he had made the connection that we were communicating; when he signed “more” his needs were met and it has become his universal sign for everything! Mr. Pen and I find humor in it when Baby Squiggles is laying in bed fighting sleep and signing “more!”

Here is a list of some of my favorite resources to aid in both learning and applying ASL.

  • Signing Made Easy: I actually went through this book in high school and found it very user friendly and a great resource! I still refer to it now.
  • Baby Signing Time DVDs: I have a lot less mommy guilt letting my son watch these DVDs when I need a break! Plus they are a great way for me to learn the signs and songs with Baby S.
  • ASL Browser: an online reference for nearly every sign that is being updated daily.
  • Baby Sign Language: Another great tool to help learn signs; it has some free downloadable charts full of signs.

references
*http://www.babysignlanguage.com/basics/research/

Baby sign language part 2 of 9

1. Sign Language for Babies by parenting
2. Signing with Your Baby by Mrs. Pen
3. I'm a Believer: Baby Sign Language by Mrs. Hopscotch
4. Baby Sign Language: week one by Mrs. Chipmunk
5. Baby sign language: first foods by Mrs. Chipmunk
6. Baby Sign Language: Bedtime Rituals by Mrs. Chipmunk
7. Baby Sign Language: Songs and Animals by Mrs. Chipmunk
8. Expanding the mealtime vocabulary by Mrs. Chipmunk
9. Baby sign language: More Animals by Mrs. Chipmunk

Hellobee Series: Mrs. Pen part 1 of 11

1. Signing with Your Baby by Mrs. Pen
2. A Case For Home-schooling Series: Part 1 by Mrs. Pen
3. The Double Swaddle by Mrs. Pen
4. Losing the Baby Weight by Mrs. Pen
5. My Modified Baby-Led Weaning Approach by Mrs. Pen
6. The Whens, Whys and Hows of Our Sleep Training Process by Mrs. Pen
7. Party Utensils DIY by Mrs. Pen
8. Modern Woodland Birthday by Mrs. Pen
9. Baby Budget: The First Year by Mrs. Pen
10. Honest Diaper Review by Mrs. Pen
11. The Nannies Guide by Mrs. Pen