A one-year-old can understand far more than they can express with words. The gross motor control in the hands develops faster than the fine motor control in the mouth, which means a baby can make signs long before they can speak.

Baby sign language gives your child a tool to express needs like hunger, thirst, and tiredness — and reduces frustration for both babies and parents.

What Is Baby Sign Language?

Baby sign language uses simplified signs borrowed from American Sign Language (ASL) or other established sign languages, combined with regular speech. You always speak at the same time as you make the sign. The goal is to support spoken language development, not replace it.

Baby signing and full sign language are two different things. A complete sign language (like ASL) is a full minority language with its own grammar. Baby signing is a communication tool where you borrow simple signs and use them together with your spoken language.

Research shows that using signs does not delay spoken language development. On the contrary: children who use signs often develop a richer vocabulary than children who are not exposed to signs. Children naturally drop the signs as their spoken language develops.

Benefits of Baby Sign Language

Less Frustration

Babies who can express basic needs through signs cry and fuss less. When your child can show you they are thirsty instead of crying in frustration, everyday life becomes calmer for everyone.

Strengthens Language Development

Signs give the child an active vocabulary before spoken language is in place. Each sign is connected to a word you say aloud, so the child builds language comprehension from an early age.

Improves Connection

When a child can make themselves understood, mutual communication occurs. The child experiences being heard and understood, which strengthens the bond between parent and child.

Insight into Your Baby's World

Signs reveal what your child is thinking about and noticing. When your baby suddenly makes the sign for "bird" while you are out on a walk, you get a window into their experience of the world.

When Should You Start?

6–8 Months: Ideal Starting Age

Many child development experts recommend starting signs when your baby is around 6 months old. At this age, your baby recognizes their own name, uses body language actively, and is beginning to understand simple words and expressions.

Your baby will not sign back right away. It can take 2–3 months of consistent use before your child begins to use the signs themselves. Patience is the key.

Never Too Late

You can start baby sign language at any point in your baby's first year. Older babies (10–12 months) may pick up signs more quickly because they have better motor control and greater language comprehension.

The First Signs to Learn

Start with signs that cover your baby's basic needs. These are called "utility signs" and are the most motivating for your child to learn:

The 8 Most Important Signs

Milk / nursing — Open and close your fist repeatedly (like milking)
More — Fingertips of both hands meet repeatedly
All done / finished — Turn palms up and out to the sides
Eat / food — Bring fingers together toward the mouth
Drink — Lift an invisible cup toward the mouth
Sleep / tired — Place hand against cheek and close eyes
Diaper / change — Pat your own hip
Help — One hand lifts the other upward

Next Step: Everyday Signs

Once your baby has learned the first signs, you can expand with:

Water — Three fingers toward the mouth (different from "drink")
Book — Open both palms like opening a book
Ball — Form a round ball shape with both hands
Dog — Pat your thigh
Cat — Stroke fingers out from your cheek (like whiskers)
Bird — Flap hands like wings
Hot — Blow on your hand
Hurt / ouch — Index fingers meet and twist

How to Teach Your Baby Signs

1. Use the Sign in Natural Situations

Make the sign for "milk" every time you are about to nurse. Say the word aloud at the same time: "Do you want milk?" while making the sign. Repetition in meaningful situations is the key.

2. Be Consistent

Use the same sign every time. Get your partner, grandparents, and childcare workers involved so your child sees the sign from multiple people.

3. Name What Your Baby Does

If your baby reaches toward your breast, make the sign for "milk" and say "Oh, you want milk!" You confirm your baby's signal and connect it to a sign and a word.

4. Wait Patiently for a Response

Your baby may make an imprecise version of the sign at first. That is completely fine. Just as a first attempt to say "mommy" might sound like "mama" or "baba," the signs will become clearer with time.

5. Celebrate Every Attempt

When your baby makes a sign — even if it is imprecise — give an enthusiastic response: "Yes! More! You want more!" Positive reinforcement motivates your child to keep going.

Start with 2–3 signs and use them consistently for a few weeks. When your baby shows they understand (either by making the sign themselves or responding to your sign), you can gradually add new signs.

Common Questions and Myths

"Will signing delay my baby's speech?"

No. Research shows that baby signing supports — does not hinder — spoken language development. Children naturally reduce their use of signs as their speaking abilities increase.

"My child isn't using the signs correctly"

Completely normal. Young children adapt signs to their motor capacity. A sign for "milk" may look different from the adult version, just as a child's first words are rarely perfectly pronounced. You will learn to recognize your child's versions.

"We've started, but my baby isn't making any signs yet"

Give it time. Most babies need 2–3 months of regular exposure before they start using signs themselves. Your baby understands the signs long before they use them actively.

Signs in Childcare

Many childcare programs incorporate signs as a natural part of communication, especially with the youngest children. Some use signs as a standard tool during circle time, mealtimes, and transition routines.

Talk with your childcare provider about which signs they use, so you can use the same signs at home. Consistency between home and care setting helps children learn more quickly.

Resources to Learn Signs

ASL University (Lifeprint.com) — Free online resource for American Sign Language
Baby Sign Language Dictionary — Online dictionary with videos of baby signs
YouTube — Search "baby sign language" for video tutorials
Signing Time — Popular DVD/streaming series teaching baby signs

Frequently Asked Questions

From what age can a baby use signs?

Most babies can start making signs back to you between 8 and 12 months, depending on when you start and your child's motor development. Start showing signs from around 6 months — your baby understands long before they can make the signs themselves.

How many signs should we learn?

Start with 2–3 signs (for example, milk, more, and all done) and expand gradually. It is better to use a few signs consistently than many signs sporadically.

Does signing work for multilingual families?

Yes, baby signing works excellently in multilingual families. The sign stays the same regardless of which language you are speaking and can actually help your child connect words from different languages to the same concept.

When will my child stop using signs?

Most children gradually stop using signs as their spoken language becomes good enough to express what they want. This typically happens between 18 months and 2 years. Some children continue using signs as a supplement to speech for longer.

Sources

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) — Language Development
Goodwyn SW, Acredolo LP, Brown CA: Impact of symbolic gesturing on early language development (Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 2000)
Pizer G, Walters K, Meier RP: Bringing up baby with baby signs (Sign Language Studies, 2007)

Baby Sign Language: Communicate Before Your Baby Can Talk