If you have heard about the benefits of baby sign language and are excited to get started, here are a few tips on how to begin. Although the techniques for signing with different ages may vary, the list below includes the most useful tips for getting started with all ages.
Start with just a few signs.
I suggest starting with the signs for milk, eat, more and all done. These signs will probably have the most relevance in your baby’s routine and fulfill her most common needs in the beginning. You may add more signs, once your baby begins to use these. It is not necessary to limit your child to just a few signs as children more than capable of naturally picking up a completely new language before age five with literally no effort. But, for your own learning curve, start with an amount that you can handle.
Use signs every day by incorporating them into your daily routine.
You may start signing with your baby as early as six months. Try using signs every day and as often as possible. Make it part of you daily routine. Ask your baby, “would you like to eat” right before a meal. Ask your baby if she would like some “milk” when you give her a bottle. Ask her if she would like “more” after a few bites of her snack. You may also want to teach her the sign for all done so that she can let you know when she is full or wants to stop doing something. Repetition is the mother of learning. Repeat, be consistent and most of all be patient. It may take a while, but the signs will come. Most often signs first appear around 9-10 months.
Speak, read or sing and sign together.
Since baby sign language is designed for use with hearing babies, you always want to say the word you are signing. This allows your child to hear the word and see the sign together and make the connection. Also try to sign in context; in other words, sign eat when you are about to eat, sign flower when you see one. This pretty much comes naturally.
For added reinforcement, you may look for opportunities to use signs when you are playing games, outdoors, in the car or in the store. You might sing songs and use signs, and don’t forget to sign when you read together. Research has shown that reading while signing may make children more interested in books. In fact, signing makes reading more fun because your child can participate. Signing reinforces language because your baby hears the word, sees the object or action and then makes a kinesthetic gesture, which actually speeds up the learning process.
Other important tips for getting started with baby sign language include: watching your baby’s favorite sign language video together, keeping it fun, watching out for signs, offering positive reinforcement, and adding the alphabet and colors. If you are interested in learning more about signing with your baby, click on the subscribe button at the top of the page.
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