What Does Your Baby Know Before They Can Talk?
How Baby Signs® Opens a Window Into the Infant Mind
Long before babies can tell us what they are thinking, they are already taking in an incredible amount of information.
They recognize familiar people and routines. They notice changes in their surroundings. They remember favorite books, songs, animals, and places. They make connections between things they see today and things they have experienced before.
The challenge is that their ability to understand develops well before their ability to say everything they know.
Baby Signs® can help bridge that gap.
By giving babies simple signs they can use before spoken language fully develops, we sometimes get a remarkable glimpse into what is happening inside those busy little minds.
Understanding Comes Before Talking
Babies do not suddenly begin understanding language when they say their first word.
Long before that milestone, they are listening, observing, remembering, and learning what words mean.
You may see evidence of this every day.
Ask a baby where their shoes are, and they may look toward the door.
Mention bath time, and they may become excited.
Say the family dog's name, and they may immediately look around for the dog.
They clearly understand something, even though they cannot yet explain it in words.
Signs give babies another way to show us what they know.
Babies Have More to Say Than “MORE”
Signs such as MILK, EAT, MORE, and ALL DONE are popular for a reason. They help babies communicate important everyday needs.
But some of the most fascinating signing moments happen when babies are not asking for anything at all.
They are simply sharing an observation.
A baby may sign DOG when they hear barking from another room.
They may sign BIRD after spotting one high in a tree.
They may sign BOOK because they remember a favorite story that is not even in sight.
Or they may sign the name of someone they are thinking about.
These moments remind us that babies are not just responding to the conversations adults start.
They have topics of their own.
Signs Can Reveal What Babies Notice
Baby Signs® co-founder Dr. Linda Acredolo beautifully described signing as providing a “window into the infant mind.”
In her original article, she shared the story of 14-month-old Abby, who became excited after the bedroom lights were turned off and used her sign for STARS.
Her father did not immediately understand why.
Then he noticed what Abby had already discovered: glowing stars on the ceiling.
Without the sign, Abby's observation might have remained entirely inside her own mind.
Instead, she was able to share the discovery with her dad.
Moments like this are one of the reasons signing with babies can be so rewarding. We get to see not only what they need, but also what captures their attention.
Read Dr. Linda Acredolo's original “A Window Into the Infant Mind” article(opens in new tab).
Signs Can Show Us What Babies Remember
Signing may also reveal connections babies are making between experiences.
You can learn more about the research behind the Baby Signs® Program(opens in new tab) and how signing supports early communication and development.
A toddler may use a sign for something that is not currently present because it reminds them of something they saw earlier.
They may associate a particular place with GRANDMA, a sound with DADDY, or a familiar routine with BATH or BOOK.
To adults, some of these connections may seem surprising.
But that is exactly what makes them so interesting.
When babies have a way to communicate what is on their minds, we sometimes discover just how much they remember.
Let Your Baby Choose the Topic
Adults naturally direct much of the conversation with babies.
“Do you want MORE?”
“Where is your BALL?”
“Are you ALL DONE?”
Those interactions are valuable, but it is also important to occasionally stop directing the conversation and see where your baby takes it.
Watch where they look.
Notice what catches their attention.
Pause.
Give them time to respond.(opens in new tab)
If your baby signs DOG, look for the dog and talk about it.
If they sign BOOK, ask which book they want.
If they notice a BIRD, share their excitement.
Following your baby's lead turns communication into something more than questions and answers. It becomes a genuine conversation.
Learn more about letting babies pick the topic.(opens in new tab)
A Glimpse Into Their World
One of the most special things about communicating with babies through signs is realizing how much is happening before spoken language catches up.
They notice.
They remember.
They anticipate.
They make connections.
And they want to share those discoveries with the people they love.
Baby Signs® does not put ideas into a baby's mind.
It simply gives babies another way to show us some of the ideas that are already there.
And sometimes what they choose to tell us can be wonderfully unexpected.
What might your baby be waiting to tell you?
Simple signs. Powerful communication.
Ready to Discover What Your Baby Has to Say?
The Baby Signs® Program gives babies simple ways to share their needs, interests, and discoveries before they can talk.
