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Baby Signs

A Conversation Creating Lasting Bonds

By Nancy Cadjan, Certified Baby Sign Instructor

• Start with three to five signs. Start with signs for the things babies do and need most such as "milk," "more," "eat," "bath" or "sleep." Start when Baby is between 6 and 8 months and can hold your gaze for a few seconds. If Baby is older, start right away. If you have older children, involve them in teaching the Baby and learning themselves. Most children love learning signs and get a real kick out of being able to communicate with babies.
• Talk! Because your goal is to help your child become verbal, speak with your child as much as you can. When nursing or giving a bottle, make eye contact and say, "Do you want some milk?" and sign "milk." Then, as you feed your child, open a dialog about the milk: "We're having milk. Milk is good!"
• Be patient. Based on age and manual dexterity, you will see your child sign within a few weeks to a few months. That gives you time to learn more signs. But remember, babies recognize the signs long before they can make them. You'll notice this when Baby looks excited when you sign "milk." She knows she is going to eat soon. If your child has special needs, be patient, as the process may take a bit longer.
• A baby's first signs don't always come out "right." As with speech development, Baby's ability to sign will improve as she signs more. Encourage signing, and if you think you see a sign such as "milk," say, "Do you want some milk?" Continue to make the signs correctly, and your child will learn to make the signs correctly.
• Just sign. Signing isn't something to set aside time for. Just do it as a part of whatever else you are doing. Sign as you talk, sign as you read books, sign as you sing, sign as you and your child play and interact.

Want to see more?

• Toddler Talking: Common Speech Problems in Young Children
• How are You Doing?: Building Your Toddler's Social Skills
• Brainy Babies: Teaching Your Infant to Read
• Talk about it!