Signing with your baby
Despite what you may have heard, crying isn't your baby's only potential form of communication before she can talk. Believe it or not, she can learn to use simple signs and gestures to tell you exactly how she feels and what she wants – and you can use the same signs to help her understand what you're saying too.
Most of us have been in a situation in a foreign country where we didn’t speak the language and found it really difficult and frustrating when it came to communicating. The same is true for babies when they can only cry or point to tell us things. Signing gives them a way of letting us know how they are feeling and what they want – without the crying!
How does it work?
Signs provide ‘pictures’ to babies, helping them understand what’s being said to them. Babies can also use their hands to make signs long before they can put words together.
What are the benefits of baby signing?
- It reduces the need for your baby to have to cry or point to get her message across.
- It reduces frustration for babies and carers.
- It strengthens the bond between child and carer – and happier babies mean happier carers.
Will it stop my baby from talking?
No! Baby signing is always done at the same time as talking to your baby. This encourages and speeds up her speech development.
When can I begin?
You can begin to sign with your baby from birth – in fact, the earlier the better as it becomes a natural part of your communication.
When will my baby sign back to me?
The average baby is physically able to make the signs when she is around 6 months old but it might be two to three months before she actually signs. However, your baby will understand and respond to your signs long before she can sign herself.
Is there a best time to sign?
The best time to sign is when your baby is alert and happy. If she’s not in the mood, try again another time. Signing should always be fun!
Where can I sign?
Anywhere! But keep the signs relevant – for example, if you see a cat, sign ‘cat’; if you’re reading a book, sign ‘book’; if it’s milk time, sign ‘milk’.
Who should sign?
Everyone! Signing should be for the whole family so that everyone can communicate with your baby.
Interested?
Then follow our top tips to get you started… Begin with a handful of signs, including milk and food – things that are of interest to your baby! If you’ve got a pet, then include that too.
- Make sure your baby is facing you and can see your mouth and your hands.
- Use lots of facial expression and vary the tone and pitch of your voice.
- Repeat the sign a few times each day at the appropriate time – for example, “Would you like your ‘milk’ now?”, “You’re drinking your ‘milk’ aren’t you?”
- Always remember to speak at the same time as signing. This helps your baby recognize that the object, word and sign go together and it’ll help her speech to develop.
- After the sign has been introduced a few times, begin to help your baby make the handshape herself.
- Keep it relaxed and fun, and always be pleased and positive with your baby.
- Make up games, sing songs and rhymes, and use puppets, toys and books to introduce signs – for example, “Where is the ball? There it is!”
- As your baby begins to make noises, copy them and see her face light up as you have a ‘conversation’. This encourages communication and turn- taking.
Most of all enjoy spending time having fun and communicating with your baby, learning about the things that she is interested in. She has so much to say! Don’t you want to know what she’s thinking about? Let her tell you!