Teaching Your Child Sign Language- Six Great Signs for You and Your Baby
Teaching a baby to sign is great for both parent and child. We have written several articles covering the benefits of baby sign language, the application of baby sign language for children with certain special needs, tips for success in signing with your child, and other general information on the subject. In this article, we simply want to teach you some of our favorite signs so you can get started signing with your baby!
Mother
Obviously, every child needs to know how to ask for her mother. We start with the ever popular “Mommy” (or “mama” where I come from). Seeing baby make this sign will make mommy so proud. Spread you fingers in an “open-5.” While holding your five fingers out, place your thumb on your chin.
Daddy
Of course, after baby learns mommy, she must learn “Daddy.” Dad will be even happier than Mom when he sees baby ask for him. Make an “open-5.” Next, with fingers extended, place your thumb against your forehead.
Milk
Now that baby has mom and dad’s attention, she can ask for more “milk.” You may have seen this fun one on the popular movie, Meet the Fockers. Simply open and close the fist of one or both hands, pretending that you are milking a cow. Holy cow, it’s that easy! This will be a popular sign for your baby. It relates to one of her favorite pastimes, drinking milk.
Eat
Now that baby can tell you she needs a drink, let’s prepare her to tell you she is hungry and ready to “eat.” Like milk, this will be one of baby’s favorites. Simply bring your fingers to your mouth in a repetitive motion, as if you are holding a piece of food (with the “flat–O”) and are going to eat it.
More
Once baby can ask for food and drink, she will be sure to want to ask for “more.” This is certainly one of our daughter’s favorites. To sign more, just bring both “flat-O” hands together, touching finger tips together in a repeating action in front of your body.
All Done
Now that baby has had enough to eat, teach her to tell you she is “all done.” The sign is much more pleasant than baby kicking and screaming to get out of her high chair. You can use this sign to confirm that baby is finished with any number of activities. Baby can tell you she is “all done,” meaning “I’m all done….don’t make me keep doing this activity.” To sign all done, hold both palms up, facing inward, then flip both palms outward.
Well, there you have it…Six great signs for a great start teaching your baby to sign. Good luck and happy signing!



