We all hate to see our children unhappy, but when your baby is too young to talk, it can be hard to know exactly what he wants. Are you hungry? Tired? Do you need a diaper change? Plus, it's probably just as frustrating for the baby when the message from her just doesn't get through. In recent years, more and more parents are turning to Baby Sign Language to improve communication with their preverbal children. Here, you'll learn from the experts what baby sign language is, its benefits, how to start teaching it, and 25 common baby signs you should know.
In this article:
What is baby sign language?
Benefits of Sign Language for Babies Potential Disadvantages of Baby Sign Language How and when to start baby sign language
common baby signs
Baby Sign Language Diagram
What is baby sign language?
Baby Sign Language is a set of simple hand gestures and movements, also known as signs, that correspond to the common words you use with your baby every day. It is a useful tool for improving communication between hearing parents and babies who can hear but not yet speak. Sometimes babies' signs are the same as in American Sign Language (ASL), but not always. "Baby Sign is not a technical sign language like ASL or BSL (British Sign Language), which are used primarily by the deaf community and are more complex with grammar and sentence structure," she says.jan fujimoto, CCC-SLP, a board-certified speech-language pathologist in Wisconsin. "It's a more flexible version that only uses characters for single words."
About 200 years ago, thanks to the work of 19th century linguist William Dwight Whitney, scholars began to make surprising observations about how hearing families could benefit from the use of baby sign language. But it wasn't until the 2000s that baby sign language became more accessible to parents through workshops, classes, and books on baby sign language.
similar video
Benefits of Sign Language for Babies
Baby Sign Language is believed to offer a number of potential short- and long-term benefits. Being able to understand what your preverbal baby wants or needs, and allowing the baby to express himself without words, can go a long way toward building your relationship. Some of the possible benefits of baby sign language are:
- Increases baby's ability to communicate before they can speak
- Leads to fewer tantrums as baby can get your message across
- Reduces parental frustration as you can understand what the baby wants or needs.
- It gives the baby an advantage in language acquisition.
- Strengthens the baby's cognitive abilities.
- Improves the bond between parents and children
In the late 1980s, Linda Acredolo, a professor at the University of California, Davis, and Susan Goodwyn, a professor at the University of Southern California, Stanislaus,foundthat babies who used Baby Sign Language actually learned verbal skills faster than those who did not sign. in onesecond study, then checked the same children at age 8 and found that babies who signed performed better on IQ tests than those who did not sign.
Shira Fogel, speech-language pathologist who foundedsmall speakers, a baby sign language workshop program in Portland, Oregon, believed in the benefits of sign language for babies after witnessing the remarkable progress of their first child. Her daughter made her first sign (milk) at 5.5 months, she knew over 100 signs at 12 months and could speak complete sentences at 18 months. Even theAmerican Academy of Pediatricshe believes baby sign language can help bridge the communication gap and has given it his stamp of approval.
However, it's worth noting that not all scientists agree that baby sign language has proven benefits. While some studies (such as the one by Acredolo and Goodwyn) have found significant benefits in the use of sign language for babies,other studiesfound no significant or long-term differences between children who learn baby sign language and those who do not. So, in general, the benefits of baby signs are considered theoretical.
And howjack maypole, MD, associate clinical professor of pediatrics at Boston Medical Center, cautions that some benefits of baby sign language may be overstated by the wide array of baby sign products on the market. "While learning baby sign language can help parents and children hear better, the results won't necessarily be transformative, so beware of programs that promise to get your child into Harvard or publish their first novel." in kindergarten," says Maypole.
Potential Disadvantages of Baby Sign Language
So you've gone over the potential benefits of sign language for babies, but what about the potential downsides? As the baby may begin to communicate with signs instead of spoken words, many parents wonder: Is the baby's sign language delaying speech? Fujimoto says no. If the baby is developing at a healthy rate, the baby sign will only complement her learning and give her another way to express herself. If he thinks the baby actually has a hearing impairment, don't rely on the baby's sign language alone for a solution, he adds. Talk to your pediatrician about her concerns and ask for referrals to an audiologist who can perform appropriate hearing tests and evaluations.
How and when to start baby sign language
If you've decided to try baby sign language, you may be wondering when to start teaching your baby some signs. According to Fujimoto, a good time to start is when the baby is between 4 and 6 months old. As for how, there are many different approaches to teaching babies sign language, but in general you can teach babies by saying a word like "milk" while signing at the same time and then giving the milk. to the baby. "Don't hold the item up like a prize and refuse to hand it over until your child has made the sign himself," Fujimoto says. "Verbal reinforcement, saying the word while showing the cue, and consistency are key."
As part of consistency, you need to use signs every day so that the baby really understands them. While your little one probably won't start signing on their own until around 6 to 9 months of age, eventually the baby will begin to make connections between the word, the sign, and the object. Much like learning a foreign language, a preverbal baby will initially understand more than she can speak or, in this case, sign.
For more resources, parents can check out the many workshops, videos, books, and apps available today, all designed to help you teach babies to sign. A typical class or workshop might teach parents 30 to 50 different signs that you can then use with your baby at your own pace. "Some families with older babies may learn better by singing along to a video or taking a class together," Fujimoto says. "Families need to find the method that makes sense for them."
common baby signs
When you're ready to start teaching baby sign language, you need to decide which baby signs you want to start with. Fujimoto recommends choosing words that you and your family use the most in everyday life, such as "more," "please," and "milk." Are you ready to learn how to teach baby sign language? Update the following illustrations of 25 common baby signs.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"Hungry" in sign language
It's important for the baby to be able to communicate when his tummy feels empty, you know,Beforemakes them hungry Teach them how to use sign language to show you that they are "hungry." You can make the "hunger" sign by wrapping your hand around your neck to form a C, then moving your hand from your neck to your stomach.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"Drink" in sign language
Would you like to learn how to sign "drinks" in sign language? This includes mimicking the action! Make a C shape with your hand as if you were holding a cup, and then bring it to your mouth as if you were drinking from it.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"Milk" in sign language
Wondering how to teach sign language to babies? It's best to start with something your baby knows, likes, and wants, like milk. You can communicate the word "milk" in sign language by clenching two fists, then stretching out your fingers and clenching them into fists again.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"Water" in sign language
Teach your baby to ask for "water" in sign language and you'll always know when your little one wants his cup. The "water" sign is made by extending the three middle fingers so that they point up, pointing the thumb and little finger down, and then tapping the chin with the index finger.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"More" in sign language
Do you have a hard time knowing if and when your baby wants extra spoonfuls of his favorite puree? "More" is another important word for you and your baby to learn. To signify "more," bring the thumbs and fingers of both hands together to form two O shapes, then bring the fingertips together several times.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"Done" in sign language
When the baby is full, he wants you to stop putting the spoon in his mouth. Teach them to tell you that they "done it all" without making a fuss by using the ASL character for "done." He starts with his hands raised, palms facing you, and rotate them until the palms are facing out.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"Play" in sign language
When it comes to baby sign language, play sign definitely belongs in your arsenal. To communicate "play" in sign language, press your fingers into your palms and keep your thumb and little finger extended; Then rotate your wrists back and forth with your palms facing you.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"Sleep" in sign language
No one likes to hold a fussy, sleep-deprived baby on their hands, so it's a good idea to practice "sleep" in sign language. Hold your hand on your forehead with your fingers spread apart, then run your hand across your face until your fingers and thumb meet and touch your chin. Even babies who resist naps can pull this off when they're particularly exhausted.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"Mom" in sign language
Your little one will want to know how to use baby sign language to address their favorite people. To sign "mommy," simply spread your fingers apart, then tap your little finger to the chin forward.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"Dad" in sign language
As baby's other favorite person, Daddy will want to join in on the fun too! You can make the "dad" sign by extending your fingers, then tapping forward with your little finger and tapping your thumb on the forehead.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"Poop" in sign language
Everyone does it, so you might as well learn how to sign it! To signify "poop", he clenches both hands into fists and stacks them one on top of the other with the thumb of the lower hand tucked into the upper fist. Then pull the bottom hand down from the top, keeping the thumb extended. The next time baby soils her diaper, she'll let you know, before she even smells it.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"yes" in sign language
Another simple and important sign to learn is "yes." Nodding enthusiastically is great, but this signal gives your baby another means of communication. Intuitively, a "yes" in sign language looks like a nodding hand. She makes a fist and then bend it at her wrist and move it up and down.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"No" in sign language
Again, head shaking works, but this cue helps to repeat the point. To say "no" in sign language, extend your thumb, index, and middle fingers, then snap them together.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"Eat" in sign language
Instead of signaling hunger, the baby may want to ask for food. This character can also mean "to eat." Communicate "food" in sign language by placing your fingers flat on your thumb and then bringing your fingertips to your mouth.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"Help" in sign language
When learning and teaching baby sign language, look for the "help" sign. This can be useful for babies in many different situations; Also, being able to ask parents or caregivers for support can help reduce any frustration a baby may feel. If you want to communicate "help" in sign language, simply make a fist with your thumb extended and place it on top of your other hand, which is outstretched. Then move both hands up together.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"bathroom" in sign language
Do you want to tell your baby that it is bath time? Signal "bathroom" by clenching two fists and then moving them up and down in front of her chest (like scrubbing yourself).
Image:kitkat-pecson
"Book" in sign language
Story time is the best time! Use your hands to say "book" in sign language; Interlock your palms with your thumbs facing up, then open your hands and bring your little fingers together (as if you were opening a book).
Image:kitkat-pecson
"Medicine" in sign language
The character for "medicine" is formed by placing the middle finger in the palm of the opposite hand and rotating it.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"Share" in sign language
To sign "Share," extend one hand flat with the thumb pointing up. Then, run your other hand back and forth across the tops of your outstretched fingers.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"I'm sorry" in sign language
It teaches the baby to show empathy and express feelings before they verbally know how to do it. The "excuse me" signal is made by rubbing the chest in a circular motion with a clenched hand.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"Please" in sign language
Customs make the difference. From an early age, teach your baby to ask for things politely. To sign "please," she stretches out her fingers and thumb, then rubs her flat palm against her chest in a circular motion.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"Thank you" in sign language
Nothing is cuter than seeing your little one express his gratitude. And they'll appreciate it if he shows them the same respect and courtesy right away. To sign "thank you", straighten your thumb and fingers, then bring them to your chin and remove them.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"You're welcome" in sign language
The "You're welcome" sign is the same as the "Thank you" sign: flatten your hand, bring your fingers to your chin, and pull them back.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"I love you" in sign language
This is a sign that both of you will want to use all the time. To sign "I love you," extend your thumb, index finger, and little finger (but keep your ring and middle fingers pointing down). Keep your hand palm facing out and rotate it from side to side.
Image:kitkat-pecson
"Pain" in sign language
The baby sign for "pain" is made by clenching both hands into fists, then extending the index fingers and touching them.
Baby Sign Language Chart
Here you can see 25 of the most common signs, all in one complete baby sign language chart.
Image:kitkat-pecson
Now that you know the basics of teaching baby sign language, start practicing some words that you think you'll use the most at home. Your child will love to share his wants and needs with you in a special way. Also, being able to express your feelings will help strengthen your bond. It's a win-win situation!
About the experts:
jan fujimoto, CCC-SLP, is a board-certified speech-language pathologist in Wisconsin. With 17 years of experience, he has worked in birth to three programs, preschools and schools, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics. He received his Master's in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas.
jack maypole, MD, is an Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Boston Medical Center and a pediatrician with more than two decades of experience. He received his bachelor's degree from Yale University and his medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine.
Please Note: The Bump and the materials and information contained herein are not intended to or constitute health or medical advice or diagnosis and should not be relied upon as such. You should always consult a qualified physician or healthcare professional about your specific circumstances.
Plus, more from The Bump:
When do babies start talking?
How should I talk to the baby?
The 11 Best Baby Book Subscriptions to Expand Little Minds