How to Easily Teach 3 Baby Sign Language Signs

This post, How to Easily Teach 3 Baby Sign Language Signs, was originally published in 2018 and has been completely updated in March 2022.

Have you ever thought about teaching your little one baby sign language?

Do you have a little one on the way and are interested in possibly teaching them baby sign language?

Worried teaching baby sign language will delay your child from speaking?

Well, we’ll talk about all these points.

Plus I’ll share with you 3 baby sign language signs to start off with.

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Why I chose to teach my child sign

When my little guy was getting old enough to start teaching him baby sign language (they say as early as 6 months old)  my mom was a little worried herself that it might delay his speech.

Yet I was determined to do it.

There is research that shows that teaching your baby sign language will actually help them start developing their language skills, even before their mouth is able to.

Another article I read mentioned that we all use gestures when we talk anyway.

And, of course, children do this naturally.

One small example:

Does your child raise their hands up when they want to be held?

Exactly!

And in case you are still wondering or debating on whether or not to teach your baby sign language, here’s something to think about.

This is the big thing, for me anyway:

You always hear about how it’s so frustrating that you can’t understand your child.

Not only that, you can tell that they get frustrated too when we don’t understand them.

So why not give both of you a helping hand, o.k., sorry I didn’t mean for that to be a pun, in understanding each other!

Plus, what a great way to bond with your baby, especially when it’s so early on.

Want to bond with your baby? Try sign language!

3 Baby Sign Language Signs

So, a few side notes to begin:)

First, let me say that these signs won’t be perfect but your child will be able to get close enough to be understood.

One reason I went with only these three baby sign language words is that some of the other ones I had seen seemed too, I won’t say difficult, but intricate for little one’s hands and fingers.

Second, I am not a Sign Language expert and so my descriptions are general.

Thank You

Thank you was important to me for one big reason.

It’s one phrase I want my little guy to know and use throughout his life.

So I figured why not have it be one of the first “words” he uses, whether it be in sign or in words.

Also, it’s a fairly easy sign to learn and teach.

How:

You start with your fingers of one hand at your chin and then move it away from the face.

Please

Just like thank you, please was another important one for me.

Also for the same reasons 🙂

I want it to be a word he uses throughout his life and it’s an easy one to learn.

It’s meant to be done at the chest, but since babies’ chests and bellies aren’t too far away from each other 🙂 we had a tendency to do this more at our belly area than chest but it was understood!

How:

One hand is placed at the chest/belly area and then you make a circular motion (clockwise from the observer’s point of view).

More

Now this one was more of a helpful sign.

Ever wonder whether your child is full, hungry, still wants to eat, or is done but still accepting food?

I was, actually still am sometimes :), that parent who wonders if they still need to eat or not.

I figured if he had a way to let me know that he wanted more then I’d at least have a little more info!

How:

Place each hand’s fingertips and thumb tip together (making an ‘O’), then bring hands together and apart several times.

There you have it!

And if you’re interested in finding a book to help you and your little one(s) learn other signs, check out Baby Signs.

I hope this encourages you to use baby sign language with your little one 🙂

Would you teach your baby sign language? Do you already know some baby signs? Please share with us in the comments. Thanks!