Because even before being able to speak, your baby already needs and wants to communicate with you, sign language—or “gesture communication associated with speech,” also known as baby sign language (BSL)—offers a gentle and rewarding solution for the whole family. The principle? Select the most useful words and use signs with your baby by systematically associating the gesture with the spoken word, so that your child will eventually start using them too.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- Hands That Tell Stories: Why Sign With Your Child?
- Your First Steps Together Into the World of Signing
- At What Age Should You Start Signing?
- 10 Signs to Communicate Effectively with Your Baby
- Sign Language for Babies: 3 Expert Tips for a Positive Experience
Hands That Tell Stories: Why Sign With Your Child?
Your baby's first words typically appear around 12 months of age. However, it takes another 6 months to a year before those first associations turn into mini-sentences. During this time, misunderstanding can lead to frustration. When you don't understand—or struggle to understand—what your child wants, tantrums might increase, and that can bring discouragement.
Signing with your baby can help them express their needs and emotions, and adds another layer of connection between you. Plus, some babies begin signing very early, bringing many advantages.
- A richer parent-child relationship.
- More natural and easier interactions.
- Greater peace at home.
- Your baby’s pride and joy.
- Their young brain is stimulated in new ways.
If your baby isn't (yet?) a little globetrotter, remember that sign language, even if not universal, knows no borders! Alongside French Sign Language (LSF), you’ll find ASL (American Sign Language) and Belgian Sign Language (LSB) as well.
Your First Steps Together Into the World of Signing
Baby sign language (BSL) is directly derived from French Sign Language. In fact, plenty of resources, including an online dictionary, are available on the internet. At home, the idea is mainly to start early, with light and regular learning.
At What Age Should You Start Signing?
Starting from 6 months! While your baby at this age can’t yet reproduce the signs you show, they have all the time—and already the ability—to understand them. At mealtime, when you put your baby to bed, when you go out for daycare or walks, while you play... Don’t hesitate to tie the sign to the word and repeat them often.
How Do You Begin With Baby Sign Language?
First, give yourself time and start early. Understand that your little one's learning will be gradual and the more you repeat each word and gesture, the sooner they’ll be recognized and then used.
Also, avoid introducing too many signs at once—that could be confusing. Pick a few, the most useful for both of you right now, and introduce them gently, giving several days between each new one.
10 Signs to Communicate Effectively with Your Baby
- Eat: Bring the fingertips of one hand together and tap them on your lips several times.
- Bottle: Form a "C" with your hand as if holding a bottle, and bring it up to your mouth.
- Mom: Open your hand flat and place it twice under your breast (as if illustrating a baby being cradled during feeding).
- Dad: Use your thumb and index finger to mimic pinching a mustache right above your mouth. The other fingers are closed.
- More: Gather the fingertips of one hand and tap them twice on the flat palm of your other hand.
- Sleep: Frame the side of your tilted face with your hand, fingers straight and together along your cheek, thumb under your chin.
- Lovey (comfort object): Close your fingers toward your palm, except your index finger, which wraps around the thumb, kept straight. With your hand in this shape, tap your hand against your mouth twice, making the sound "doo-doo."
- Change (diaper, toy, etc.): Make two fists and press them together palm sides, thumbs touching. Then, rotate them back and forth.
- Pain (boo-boo, etc.): With the finger from one hand extended, tap the back of your other hand.
- Thank you: Place your fingers on your chin and move your hand forward toward the person you’re thanking.
Discover the round-shaped bottle, perfectly sized for your baby’s little hands—ideal for learning to sign.
Can Sign Language Disrupt Spoken Language Learning?
Many parents starting out with baby sign express the same concern: “What if my baby doesn’t try as hard to speak because they’re signing?” In reality, research shows that sign language is actually a positive step toward acquiring spoken language.
- In 2000, a study conducted on 103 babies aged 11 months concluded that symbolic gesturing does not hinder children's verbal development and may even facilitate it.
- In 2012, Claire D. Vallotton in her study "Infant signs as intervention? (...)" found that signs are effective tools for promoting two-way communication and positive interactions between children and their parents.
The Baby Signer’s Toolbox
There is a wealth of literature designed to help teach sign language to babies. Books, videos, and even apps are available to help you.
- A book to read: “Bébé s’exprime par signes” by Christine Nougarolles and Anaïs Galon, published by Mango.
- From 6 months, first stories and first nursery rhymes in signs are available from Langue au Chat publishers.
- Also worth checking out is “Signer avec son bébé: Une communication gestuelle bienveillante” by Sophie d’Olce, published by J’ai lu.
- Available on iOS and Android, the “Bébé signe” app offers short and concise videos for easy learning.
- The YouTube channel “Lyla Signes” is full of nursery rhymes, explanations, and vocabulary.
For more variety in your practice, consider using illustrated magnetic cards you can stick on your fridge, or a basic signs poster to put on the bathroom door. Both are fun and practical formats the whole family can enjoy.
It’s true: your baby will learn faster and more easily if everyone around them signs. Mom, dad, siblings, grandparents, and even the babysitter!
Little Extras That Make a Difference
- Create your own personal dictionary: jot down the signs you use most often and include photos as illustrations.
- Record yourself signing: you’ll improve faster and have wonderful memories of your baby’s early years.
- Join parent groups (nearby or on social media: Langue des signes bébé on Facebook) who use sign language with their babies to share and practice together.
Sign Language for Babies: 3 Expert Tips for a Positive Experience
Learning sign language with your baby is a magical experience, but it also requires some consistency and self-confidence to truly succeed.
Experts recommend practicing every day—even a little, if you’re short on time—so you don’t forget the signs or get them mixed up, and so you don’t get frustrated by slow progress. At the same time, be patient and kind to yourself.
If you face doubts or questions from people around you, don’t get the support you hoped for, or even feel uncomfortable signing in public, keep going—think of the benefits for your child. You’ll be rewarded when your baby gives you their first intentional sign.🩷
Dr. Susan Goodwyn, developmental psychologist and founder of the Baby Sign platform, says: “Patience is key. Some babies may take months before signing back, but they absorb everything you show them.”
According to Dr. Marilyn Daniels, professor of communication, you shouldn’t hesitate to exaggerate your facial expressions when signing. This helps your baby understand the emotional context of each sign.
Finally, Dr. Gwen Dewar, anthropologist and founder of Parenting Science, explains: “Pay close attention to your baby’s nonverbal attempts at communication. They often invent their own gestures before using yours.”
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