This article explains some of the key elements for success in
teaching baby sign language. The elements presented in this post provide you with a great foundation to ensure you will have a successful and rewarding experience with baby sign langauge.

Timing is Everything

A fundamental question that parents have regarding baby sign langauge is at what age to start teaching their baby to sign. As you may expect, there is no fast rule on an exact age to begin signing. Every child is different, developing at his or her own pace. Most experts agree, however, that a baby will not be able to distinguish signs in any meaningful way prior to reaching 6 months in age.

Generally, you may begin to introduce basic signs starting at age 6 to 9 months. Your baby could start signing back to you as early as 6 months. From 12 months onward, you can start introducing some secondary, more abstract signs. Around 2 years of age, your child may start combining signs, and begin to speaking. Again, there is no definite time frame for your child’s signing development. You should read your baby’s expressions and use your intuition to know when he is ready to start the learning process. When he starts sitting up and showing interest in the activities around him, baby is likely ready to begin learning signs. In particular, if your baby is following what you’re doing with your hands, he may very well welcome your instruction. These nonverbal indications\cues will let you know that baby is now receptive to your teachings.

Many babies don’t make their first sign until 9 months of age or later, sometimes not before 12 months. Don’t get frustrated if baby doesn’t start signing right away. While it may seem like it is taking him forever to sign back to you, take heart. Though the first few signs may come at a snail’s pace, one day your baby will suddenly be learning signs at a rapid pace. In fact, you may have a hard time keeping up! Then the pace may slow again. Teaching your baby to sign will be filled with fast and slow periods, stops and starts. Just keep at it, and you and your child will succeed. And always remember, the data on signing with your baby prove that signing with your baby is a good thing.

Right Word – Right Moment

Once you decide when to start teaching baby to sign, you must choose which words to begin with. Choose a few basic words to begin teaching your baby. Do not overwhelm your baby, or yourself, with a large number of signs. At any given time, you should only be working with three to four new signs. Once your baby learns a sign you are working on, add another sign to teach him.

Your baby will recognize a sign before he starts using it as his own. The recognition of words is known as “receptive language”, while the ability to form words (and signs) is called “expressive language”. Pay attention to your child’s facial expressions when you are teaching him a sign. His expression may tell you when he begins to recognize the sign. For example, his eyes may widen with a smile when you sign the word “milk”. After he recognizes a sign, your child will likely begin expressing that sign soon thereafter.

Always introduce and reinforce new signs at the appropriate moments in time. Again, working on a handful of signs, introduce them before, during, and/or after an activity. A great time to teach “milk”, for example, is when you are giving baby milk and after he is finished drinking his milk. Conversely, you should never teach a sign out of context. If your child is playing with a toy truck, do not try teach the sign for milk.

You will find signing with your baby is exciting and rewarding. If you have any doubt, read what other parents say about signing with your baby!