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Using sign language with your baby

There’s quite a lot of evidence to suggest that sign language works to both increase verbal skills and vocabulary, and to help your baby to communicate with you before full speech is possible.

How does signing work?

Your baby’s understanding of language and motor skills will develop much faster than her speaking ability. She also loves to mimic everything you do.

The idea of teaching the babies of hearing parents how to sign was developed by child development expert Joseph Garcia after he noticed how easily hearing babies of deaf parents learned sign language.

The other thing he noticed about these babies was how they seemed less demanding and prone to tantrums than babies that didn’t sign because they are able to easily communicate their needs.

A baby who learns to sign may also have a stronger bond with you, as you can understand more about what’s going on inside her head.

How to teach signing

1. Use a sign for something she’s interested in, such as food. The sign for this can be putting your finger tips to your lips.
2. Then, every time you use the word, use the sign as well, and use lots of repetition and emphasis to make the connection clear.
3. Encourage your baby to use the sign herself. It may take several weeks for your baby to pick up on the sign, but eventually it should happen.

Some other signs to try

Any gesture that obviously mimics the meaning of the word works well, for example:

all gone: move your hand, palm up, backward and forward

scared: tap your chest again and again

hot: put your hand out and withdraw it quickly

where?: shrug your shoulders, with your palms held out

rabbit: wrinkle up your nose or hold up two fingers

car: steer an imaginary wheel

book: hold hands flat with palms up