Every parent has been there – the frustration of trying to figure out what a crying baby wants or needs.
Baby sign language is one way for babies to communicate their needs to their parents before a baby is able to speak. Baby signs are used to teach a baby sign language that represents the baby’s needs, wants and familiar objects.
If you’re thinking about teaching sign language to your baby, here are a few things to consider:
Pros
- Decreasing frustration. Older babies often know what they want, but they are not yet able to say it verbally and this lack of communication is frustrating for baby and parent. This frustration often leads to crying and/or a tantrum. A benefit of baby sign language is that it provides a baby a means to be understood, which lessens baby and parent frustration.
- Developing emotional understanding. Baby signing is one way a child can start to connect “what I need/want” and how to communicate it to an adult. This is a beginning step in a child learning to identify feelings.
- Practicing communication. Most babies won’t start talking until around their first birthday. Baby sign language can help babies communicate with their parents and caregivers at a much younger age. Your baby can start understanding language and how it works before being able to verbalize their thoughts. Sign language promotes a child’s understanding of communication being a give-and-take responsive process and how to match a feeling or object with a word.
- Building a sense of accomplishment. It feels good to be heard. When a child can communicate their wants and needs to an adult, this helps develop a child’s belief in their ability to be heard and have their needs met. This helps build self-confidence.
- Bonding with your baby. Signing with your baby can also offer an opportunity for positive interaction and fun bonding time.
Cons
- Needing consistency. A parent has to use the new sign with the spoken word consistently for a baby to make the connection and learn to use the word. Practicing sign language regularly can be a challenge in the busy days of family life.
- Taking time. It takes a lot of time to teach sign language. This can mean stopping a busy schedule to find out what your baby is saying and to make this a teachable moment to connect the sign with the baby’s want or need.
- Dealing with frustration. There will be times when your baby is using sign language and the people around them won’t understand what they are saying. This can lead to confusion and frustration – for the child and the person they are trying to communicate with.
Tips for baby sign success
- Talking to your baby is still the best way for your baby to learn language development.
- There is no conclusive research saying that baby sign language delays a child’s speech development.
- Most babies won’t be able to sign until they’re 8 months old, but parents can start teaching their baby sign language as early as 6 months old.
- If you are going to teach your baby to sign, practice regularly to help your baby remember the signs.
- Teaching sign language has to be a family effort in which signing is introduced as a normal part of daily life. Ask family members and caregivers to use the signs that you’ve taught your baby so everyone can understand what your baby is trying to communicate.
- Be patient. It may take your baby one to two months to truly know how to communicate using sign language.
- There are many books, videos, websites and apps that address the basics of baby signing. Find the one that works best for you.
Simple signs to learn
- More
- Thank you
- Please
- Milk
- Done
- Eat
- Play
- Diaper
- Mommy
- Daddy
Baby sign language can be a wonderful tool for you and your child to use to enhance communication. Remember it will take time, patience and regular practice to help your baby learn what signs to use and when to use them.
Learn more
- Toddler talk: Ways to encourage language development
- Newborn basics: Bonding with your baby
- Reading to babies doesn’t have to be boring
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Posted In Children's, Family Medicine, Parenting
