The truth about Baby Sign Language - Essential Signs to Help Your Little One Communicate
- Maria Skipworth
- Apr 21, 2024
- 7 min read
Is 'baby sign language' worth it? We have busted myths surrounding teaching your baby sign language and simplified this basic communication tool for you. Find out what your little one is thinking before they can talk!
Teaching your little one to sign is an invaluable tool for helping you communicate with one another. Many parents worry that introducing signs will confuse their little one or even delay the development of other speech and language skills. However, the results are in and the research suggests that the truth is in fact, quite the opposite.
What is 'baby sign language'?
Sign language is the act of using set patterns of gestures and motions, usually with the hands and fingers in order to communicate with one another. There are officially recognised sign languages, such as ASL (American Sign Language) and BSL (British Sign Language), as well as unique language programmes that utilise a mixture of words and gestures such as Makaton - this is especially popular amongst education settings specialising in students with special educational needs (SEN). Unlike ASL and BSL, baby sign language is not an 'official' recognised language, and as such, you might find slight variations in the signs you see parents and little ones using. Baby sign language is a simplified version of the 'real' sign languages, although you will likely notice some similarities between the formal versions and the basic signs you might teach your baby!
While the former two are based on both single gestures as well as more complex patterns of movement, sometimes with single motions representing whole phrases, baby sign language is based on using individual, simple gestures to represent single words. Therefore, it is relatively straightforward to teach your little one - and relatively easy for them to pick up, too!
How is teaching a baby sign language useful?
Of course, babies in general differ greatly in their learning pace, the age at which they reach milestones and even the order in which they achieve them! Learning to communicate effectively is a vital skill that develops rapidly during the first few years of life and continues to change even to adulthood. These skills begin to form right from birth, with language comprehension (understanding spoken words) increasing and improving the more we communicate with our little ones, even in the newborn phase. Babies understand us long before they can convey the same messages verbally themselves, which can sometimes lead to frustration - imagine if you were trying to tell a loved one something you thought was really important, but your mouth couldn't move how you wanted it to! A baby sends us signals in other ways, which can often mean a few tears or cries if we don't guess what they want quickly - sign language can give your baby a way to let you know exactly what they want before their mouths are physically able to form the words.
Does teaching a baby sign language delay speech?
A very common misconception amongst parents (and often onlookers) is that if a fully hearing baby uses signing to communicate, they don't need to talk - so won't bother trying. However, this couldn't be further from the truth - and from what the scientific studies on this topic are proving. Many researchers and clinicians are even recommending that 'sign language be taught to typically developing children during their first 2 years of life' (Thompson et al., 2007) ,given that it 'enhances' early communication. When a child learns to sign, neural pathways are forged in their brains which only support, not hinder, the development of their ability to communicate. Signing doesn't take away any understanding of spoken words, it supports it - it simply gives them away to convey it to us before their lips, tongues and facial muscles are able to work together to form the sounds they need.
One ground-breaking study (supported by the findings of several others) even confirmed that signing could completely replace the need for a little one to 'whine' or 'cry' for attention (Thompson et al., 2007). Observing infants of only 9 and 10 months old learning sign language, the results clearly showed one strong correlation: when they signed more, they cried significantly less. Instead of crying in frustration for attention, toys or physical contact, the little ones were able to perform a simple sign to convey their wishes, greatly reducing their distress.
In summary, some of the benefits of baby sign language are:
Fewer tantrums, as baby can convey the message they want to quickly
Less parental frustration, as we don't have to guess what our baby needs as often
Faster language acquisition
Earlier communication with your baby
Supports cognitive development
Development of motor skills and hand-eye coordination
When should I teach my baby sign language?
The answer is whenever you like! You might be wondering if your baby is too young to start learning signs, but the mean age that babies sign for the first time themselves could be as young as 8.5 months old, with reports of babies around 5.5 months old using some simple signs (Bonvillian et al., 1983). Generally, the earlier you start with simple signs to your baby, the younger they will be when they begin to use them themselves. However, all babies are different - they roll, sit, crawl, walk and talk at different ages and signing is no different. The best approach might be simply to repeat the signs as often as you can and be consistent, and the likelihood is that your little one will learn to communicate with you before they can talk.
How do I teach my baby signs?
When deciding how to teach your baby to sign, you should remember there is no set 'way' to teach a specific skill; it is important that you choose a method that you can be consistent with for the best results. Some useful tips for teaching signs to your baby are:
Start with 4-5 signs that will be used several times a day to increase your baby's exposure to the gestures
Pair the gestures with clear spoken words
Perform the sign as you say the word at the appropriate moments - signing 'milk' at feeds, 'Daddy' when Daddy walks in the room and so on
Start with signs that offer a strong association for your baby - 'Would you like some more? Yes, let's have some more!' as you give your baby another spoonful of food will be a strong incentive and stimulus for their brains. Make sure you sign 'more' as you say the word and leave a little pause - in time, your baby might start to attempt to motion for 'more'!
Respond to their attempts to sign. If your baby begins tapping their fists (rather than their finger tips) together when they want more but it is obvious what they mean, simply repeat the sign back correctly to them and make sure you respond positively by giving them some more!
Add more signs when you feel comfortable. The more tools you give your little one to communicate with you, the more you will both benefit! The same applies to teaching a baby BSL or ASL, however as it isn't an official language, 'baby sign language' can be as relaxed as you like - many little ones may modify the signs slightly but if it works for your family, keep it up!
The best signs to teach a baby
'What signs should I teach my baby first?' is something you might have considered. Truthfully, the best signs to teach your baby are the ones you will be using the most. This will vary slightly from family to family but we have found that there are a few key themes that run common amongst households. Think the essential, unavoidable task in parenthood from day one - feeding your baby! Here are 4 really useful but simple signs that you can begin using as early as you wish.
#1 'Milk'
This is (unsurprisingly) the first sign many babies attempt themselves! Try modelling the baby sign language for milk before and during milk feeds, whether you are breast or bottle feeding. Incorporate into phrases such as ‘Would you like some milk?’ and ‘You are drinking milk!’.
#2 'Eat'
There is no clear-cut answer to the question 'What are the best signs to teach my baby?' but we think that 'eat' is another really useful and important sign that can let you know baby is hungry as weaning progresses. Use the sign for 'eat' with your baby during phrases such as ‘Would you like to eat something?’ and ‘Let’s eat!’ at mealtimes.
#3 'More'
The baby sign language for 'more' is a little more versatile. ‘More’ can be used during mealtimes, for drinks, play time and countless other activities. Start with phrases such as ‘Let’s have more!’ and ‘Would you like some more?’ whilst using this sign. Before you know it, your little one will be letting you know they want 'more' - stories, chocolate, silly dances - anything that puts a smile on their face!
#4 'All done'
A great way for your little one to let you know they’ve finished - their meal, their drink, playing with a toy and more. Incorporating this into questions such as ‘Are you all done with your dinner?’ and modelling it when you finish your own food or activity is a simple way to teach your baby the meaning.
Other popular ideas for starting signs are 'poop' when changing your baby, 'stop', 'bath', 'Mama' or 'Dada/Daddy' and 'help'.
If you would like to start with an official sign language such as British Sign Language; 'BSL' (or even just brighten up your nursery or play space) check out our gorgeous educational prints here! Our popular 'alphabet' BSL posters not only aid with your child's letter recognition, but once you've learned them, will equip you with the ability to sign anything if needed - you can simply spell it out! Imagine the possibilities when you know the full alphabet and your little one has a new way to spell their name. It's also a great way to become more inclusive, as you'll be able to communicate the basics with those who use BSL due to difficulties such as deafness.
References
Thompson, R.H., Cotnoir-Bichelman, N.M., McKerchar, P.M., Tate, T.L., Dancho, K.A., 2007. Enhancing Early Communication through Infant Sign Training. J Appl Behav Anal 40, 15–23. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2007.23-06
Bonvillian, J.D., Orlansky, M.D., Novack, L.L., 1983. Developmental milestones: sign language acquisition and motor development. Child Dev 54, 1435–1445.
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