Unlike many parents I was fortunate to have seen the benefits of baby signing prior to having my own children. Having worked for several years as a daycare teacher I taught the infants under my care several baby signs. While we mostly only focused on a few signs, I was able to see right away how teaching them to say “More” “All Done” “Milk” “Eat” “Please” and “Thank You” really helped cut out a lot of frustration!
When you have 8 infants in one room having several who can actually tell you what is wrong or what they need at that moment can save stress for both the caregiver and the infant. Over and over parents would thank us for teaching their babies these simple signs. I knew that when I had my children I would teach them as well!
With my first son we started signing at 3 months old. I introduce “Milk” “All Done” “More” right away and used them as much as I could. By 5 months old he was signing milk. By 7 months old he was signing all three, and we were already adding on several more sings.
By the time he was 18 months old my son was speaking way above the level that was expected at that age, and was still signing. I know for a fact signing helped him develop a strong vocabulary and a love for reading, talking, and words. He regularly used the following signs:
- Eat
- More
- Milk
- Please
- Thank You
- All Done
- Mom
- Dad
- Play
- Friend
- Train
- Socks
- Shoes
- Medicine
- Hurt
- Help
- Diaper
- Bath
- Car
Medicine was one that became very important to us. At 9 months old my son got very sick and shortly there after was diagnosed with Asthma. He was on a lot of medicine, and the mask could have been scary. Instead we turned to signs to help him understand what was going on and prepare him for his medicine.
He is now 4 and we still use signs with him, admittedly more now that he has a baby brother. He loves being able to show Baby D new signs and participate in the learning process.
So how can you start signing with your baby, toddler, or even preschooler?
- Use signs consistently – every time baby gets milk, use the sign. When they are all done – use the sign! When they take a bath – use the sign! Baby will pick it up really quickly if you are consistent!
- Incorporate signing with your favorite songs!
- Find tools and resources to help you and baby learn together!
One book we have and love using is The Baby Signing Book
(second edition) by Sara Bingham. Sara is the founder of WeeHands and the author of The Baby Signing Book. I actually used the first addition while signing my first baby, so when they offered to send me a copy of the second edition for review, I was very excited.
This book is helpful in SO many ways. Not only does it show you how to make the signs, it actually also gives you examples on how to use them. With Baby D we have incorporated signing with our signs. I love that Sara shares several songs and what sign to use while singing them.
She also includes examples of signing conversations you can be having with your baby to re-enforce them. Since we aren’t doing much meal time yet, I have been using the bed time conversation with signs for baby D as well as the diaper changing signs. With my first son I know that by using signs and talking about changing his diaper and potty time we were able to potty train a lot earlier, and I hope to do the same with Baby D.
The book is really easy to use and follow, and a great tool to have.
Sara Bingham also has a wonderful YouTube channel filled with many great ways to learn and use signing in your home!
Signing with your baby is easy to do and research has proven that it is a great way to reduce frustration, increase vocabulary, and introduce language early to your baby! You can find The Baby Signing Book on Amazon for under $15.
You can find Sara’s company Weehands on Facebook and Twitter!
Do you sign with your baby?
I was sent a copy of this book to facilitate this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I’ve heard a lot about the benefits of this! Would be a great gift for the baby shower I’m throwing next month. 🙂
Signing time was a huge help for us and I am so grateful to have signed with my first two. It has also been neat to see my youngest pick up on some.
Thanks for sharing!
This is very interesting! I might have to try this with my 8 month old!
I taught my son some basic signing when he was a baby. It’s so amazing how much they can learn.
This is great!! My hubby is already getting frustrated because he doesn’t know what our baby girl needs (he always thinks she’s hungry). She’s only 2 months old, so hopefully we can get started as soon as she’s able!
I think it’s wonderful how it enhances language development. I never knew any signs so I wasn’t able to do this. 🙁
Signing is good. You never know if they will have any speech delays, I certainly didn’t expect it with my daughter.
The alphabet is about all I know. My son is taking it as his language class in school.
I sign with baby and it really helps so much!!
That is so cool. My kids are way past that stage, but it is something that I will let them know if they happen to have children of their own. I love that. I wish that concept was around or had been promoted when mine were little.
Signing was so helpful with B. It is great way for them to be able to communicate!
How neat! I wish I would have known about this when my boys were little, it would have made knowing what they need so much easier!
I think teaching your baby to sign is a great idea.
I know a lot of people who have had great success with signing with there baby. I personal love the idea and think if it can be done, do it!