Baby Signs®

Infant Sign Language: A Helpful Tool for Communication

Infant sign language is a way for babies and toddlers to communicate before they are able to speak. It can be a helpful tool for both babies and parents, as it can help to reduce frustration and promote bonding.

Babies are born with the ability to learn language, and they can start to learn signs as early as 6 months old. By signing to your baby, you can help them to develop their language skills and learn about the world around them.

There are many benefits to using infant sign language. Some of these benefits include:

  • Reduces frustration: Babies who can sign can communicate their needs and wants, which can help to reduce frustration.
  • Promotes bonding: Signing can help to promote bonding between babies and their caregivers.
  • Can help babies learn to speak earlier: Studies have shown that babies who are exposed to sign language may learn to speak earlier than babies who are not exposed to sign language.
  • Can help babies with special needs: Sign language can be a helpful tool for babies with special needs, such as hearing loss or autism.

If you are interested in teaching your baby sign language, there are many resources available to help you. You can find books, websites, and even classes that can teach you the basics of sign language.

Here are a few tips for teaching your baby sign language:

  • Start early: Babies can start to learn signs as early as 6 months old.
  • Be consistent: The more you sign, the more your baby will learn.
  • Break down signs into small movements: Babies may have difficulty making complex movements, so break down signs into smaller, easier movements.
  • Be patient: It may take some time for your baby to learn signs.

With a little patience and consistency, you can teach your baby sign language and help them to communicate their needs and wants.

Here are some basic signs that you can start teaching your baby:

  • More: Tap fingertips together. Watch this video clip to learn the sign for “more”.
  • Milk: Open and close your fist as if you’re milking a cow. Download this free poster with the sign for “milk”
  • Eat: Touch your fingertips to your lips.

These are just a few basic signs that you can start teaching your baby. With a little practice, you can help your baby to learn sign language and communicate their needs and wants.

  • Welcome to the Baby Signs® Blog!

    Welcome to the Baby Signs® Blog!

    We are so excited to have you here. This blog is dedicated to providing information and resources for parents who are interested in teaching their babies basic sign language. We know that teaching your baby sign language can be a great way to help them communicate their needs and wants, build a stronger bond with…

    read more

  • Empowering Parents and Babies: Jasmine Wooster’s Journey with the Baby Signs® Program

    Empowering Parents and Babies: Jasmine Wooster’s Journey with the Baby Signs® Program

    Jasmine Wooster’s passion for early childhood education and family support shines through in her work as a certified Baby Signs® instructor. Based in Somerset County, Maryland, Jasmine is also an Early Childhood Parent Organizer with the local Judy Center. Her journey into teaching Baby Signs® began when she received a forwarded email about becoming a…

    read more

  • A Window into the Infant Mind

    A Window into the Infant Mind

    By Linda Acredolo, Ph.D. and Co-founder of the Baby Signs® Program. Much to my delight, the good news about baby sign language has spread far and wide—especially in contrast to how few people knew anything about it when Dr. Susan Goodwyn and I published our first research article about babies and signing in 1985. I…

    read more

  • How Creative Signing by Toddlers Transforms Everyday Moments

    How Creative Signing by Toddlers Transforms Everyday Moments

    Bonita and crew were visiting the National Zoo in Washington, DC. Julia was enchanted by all the animals and eager to use her many animal signs to label them—monkey, lion, bear, bird, zebra, elephant, and giraffe to name just a few. But then they came to a grasslands enclosure that featured something new to her:…

    read more

  • Welcome to the Baby Signs® Blog!

    Welcome to the Baby Signs® Blog!

    We are so excited to have you here. This blog is dedicated to providing information and resources for parents who are interested in teaching their babies basic sign language. We know that teaching your baby sign language can be a great way to help them communicate their needs and wants, build a stronger bond with…

  • Empowering Parents and Babies: Jasmine Wooster’s Journey with the Baby Signs® Program

    Empowering Parents and Babies: Jasmine Wooster’s Journey with the Baby Signs® Program

    Jasmine Wooster’s passion for early childhood education and family support shines through in her work as a certified Baby Signs® instructor. Based in Somerset County, Maryland, Jasmine is also an Early Childhood Parent Organizer with the local Judy Center. Her journey into teaching Baby Signs® began when she received a forwarded email about becoming a…

  • A Window into the Infant Mind

    A Window into the Infant Mind

    By Linda Acredolo, Ph.D. and Co-founder of the Baby Signs® Program. Much to my delight, the good news about baby sign language has spread far and wide—especially in contrast to how few people knew anything about it when Dr. Susan Goodwyn and I published our first research article about babies and signing in 1985. I…

  • How Creative Signing by Toddlers Transforms Everyday Moments

    How Creative Signing by Toddlers Transforms Everyday Moments

    Bonita and crew were visiting the National Zoo in Washington, DC. Julia was enchanted by all the animals and eager to use her many animal signs to label them—monkey, lion, bear, bird, zebra, elephant, and giraffe to name just a few. But then they came to a grasslands enclosure that featured something new to her:…