Make a Difference as a Certified Baby Signs® Instructor
Many professionals enter early childhood, education, and family services because they want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.
Becoming a certified Baby Signs® Instructor offers a research-based, globally recognized way to support early communication, reduce frustration, and strengthen connection during the most critical years of development — while building a flexible, mission-driven professional pathway.
So what does Baby Signs® certification actually involve—and how does it differ from simply learning signs?
What Does Baby Signs® Certification Really Mean?
Becoming a Certified Baby Signs® Instructor means more than learning signs. It means being trained in a research-based program developed by child development experts, with a focus on ethical practice, family-centered implementation, and consistent curriculum use.
Certified instructors are prepared to:
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Teach Baby Signs® classes and workshops to families
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Partner with early childhood programs, agencies, and organizations
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Support early communication in classrooms, home visits, and community settings
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Represent the Baby Signs® Program with accuracy and integrity
Who Becomes a Certified Baby Signs® Instructor?
Baby Signs® instructors come from a wide range of professional and personal backgrounds, including:
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Early childhood educators and administrators
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Speech-language pathologists and therapists
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Early intervention and home visiting professionals
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Parent educators and family support providers
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Nannies, doulas, and infant care specialists
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Parents seeking a meaningful second career or flexible professional pathway
No matter your background, certification is grounded in child development principles and designed to be applied ethically and responsibly.
Certified Baby Signs® Instructors make a difference by helping families and professionals reduce frustration, strengthen connection, and support early communication during critical developmental years.
Instructors work with families navigating everyday routines, support inclusive practices for children with diverse developmental needs, and partner with early childhood programs focused on family engagement, early literacy, and social-emotional development.
Whether teaching classes, facilitating workshops, or collaborating with agencies, instructors help create environments where babies are understood, caregivers feel confident, and communication is valued from the very beginning.
Research Foundation: The Science of the Baby Signs® Program
With a foundation of over 2 decades of scientific research supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Baby Signs® Program equips young children to communicate effectively before they can speak. This early use of research-based sign language supports clearer communication between infants and adults, paving the way for improved problem-solving and emotional regulation skills.
Experience the Benefits:
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Enhanced parent–child bonding and reduced frustration
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Support for early cognitive, language, and social-emotional development
Pathway to Certification: Learn from the Best
Our comprehensive training, crafted by child development experts Drs. Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn, provides you with the resources and knowledge to confidently conduct Baby Signs® workshops and classes. Through our self-paced program, featuring extensive written and video materials, you'll become proficient in teaching both fundamental and advanced aspects of infant sign language.
Global Influence: A Community United by Purpose
The Baby Signs® instructor community spans a variety of professional fields, from education and speech pathology to therapy. Today, Certified Baby Signs® Instructors support families and professionals in more than 40 countries, reflecting the program’s global reach and consistent, research-based approach across cultures and communities. Together, they foster profound change, reaching from community centers to child development centers on military bases across the globe. This widespread network embodies a unified dedication to advancing early communication skills in diverse cultural settings.
How Certified Baby Signs® Instructors Support Families and Programs
As a certified instructor, you will:
- Facilitate Parent Workshops that support families in learning how to integrate Baby Signs® into daily routines and interactions.
- Lead Infant/Toddler Play Classes including Sign, Say & Play™ and MORE Sign, Say & Play™
- Provide Early Childhood Educator Training to support classroom implementation.
- Offer On the Grow™ Classes, a 16-class series supporting development from birth to age 5.
Beyond Teaching: Comprehensive Instructor Support
Certification is just the beginning.
Certified Baby Signs® Instructors receive ongoing support designed to help them implement the program responsibly, confidently, and sustainably across a variety of settings.
Instructors have access to the Baby Signs® Instructor Support Site, which includes curriculum guidance, downloadable forms, and tools to support class preparation, communication with families and program delivery.
Tools to Support Outreach, Communication, and Program Delivery
In addition, instructors receive an Instructor Business Kit with outreach and communication resources to support program visibility, community engagement, and coordination with families, programs, and partner organizations. These materials are designed to help instructors share information clearly and consistently while maintaining alignment with the Baby Signs® Program’s research-based approach.
Together, these resources support instructors in delivering high-quality classes, workshops, and trainings—whether working independently, within early childhood programs, or in partnership with agencies and organizations. Ongoing guidance helps ensure that the Baby Signs® Program is implemented with integrity, professionalism, and respect for families across all settings.
With your Instructor Business Kit, you receive a wealth of marketing tools and resources to effectively promote your classes and make a strong impact in your community. From detailed guides to professionally designed promotional materials, these resources are tailored to help you thrive as a Baby Signs® instructor.
A Meaningful Professional Pathway
Becoming a Certified Baby Signs® Instructor is more than earning a credential—it is a professional pathway that allows individuals to support early communication, strengthen family engagement, and apply research-based practices in meaningful, real-world settings.
Certified instructors often integrate the Baby Signs® Program into existing professional roles or community work, while others build flexible offerings that align with their expertise, values, and availability. In both cases, the work centers on improving communication, reducing frustration, and supporting healthy development during the earliest years of life.
The following testimonial features a Certified Baby Signs® Instructor and speech-language pathologist sharing how the Baby Signs® Program supports her professional practice.
Interested in Becoming a Certified Baby Signs® Instructor?
If you’re exploring ways to support families through early communication — or considering a flexible, purpose-driven professional pathway — we invite you to learn more about the Baby Signs® Instructor Certification Program.
Have questions or want to talk through fit?
Schedule a conversation with our team:
https://calendly.com/babysigns
