How to Teach Sign Language to a Baby

While parenting an infant can be a truly remarkable and enjoyable experience, it does not come without challenges. One of the most challenging factors is that infants can't verbalize their needs or frustrations. Since they can't verbalize, they often get frustrated and subsequently cry or scream. The good news is that many parents are discovering the benefits of teaching their children sign language.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Basic sign language book

Determine if Your Baby is Ready for Sign Language

1. Observe your baby's gestures. See if they can imitate your gestures or actions, point to objects that that they want and initiate gestures.
2. Watch your baby as she plays with toys. See if she looks for her toys after dropping them or looks to you for more information about where her toy went.
3. Notice your baby's eyes when you talk to him. He should be able to focus on your face.
4. Check to see if your baby appears to be curious and interested in his or her environment.
5. Monitor your baby's hand movements to see if they move freely and are capable of picking up objects. Look for the pincer grasp, which is the ability to pick up objects with your thumb and finger.
6. Tally up the number of times you answered, "yes," to the questions in steps one through five. If you answered yes to most of the questions then your child is likely ready to start sign language training.

Start Teaching Sign Language

7. Purchase a basic sign language book or dictionary. This will give you a reference to look up words whenever necessary.
8. Choose a sign to teach your child. You will want to start with a sign that focuses on something your child needs and something that is motivating. The most popular signs are: more, eat and drink or milk.
9. Use the sign you have chosen before the child receives the item or engages in the activity. Then, use the sign frequently during the activity. Be sure that you use this sign every time you introduce the object or activity.
10. Say the word as you are showing your child the sign.
11. Assist your child in making the sign a few weeks after introducing the sign. When doing this be careful not to force your child to make the sign if they resist.
12. Introduce a new sign once your baby is signing the first sign to you.
13. Share the signs your baby has learned with other caregivers, friends and family members. The sign will become more permanent for your child as he or she sees the sign used in a variety of circumstances and by various different people.

Tips & Warnings

• Babies will recognize new signs before they are able to produce them.
• Be consistent with the words you use when introducing signs. If you are teaching the sign for eat, then be sure to use the word eat.
• Take a class. Your local community center may offer a sign language class.
• Be prepared for your baby to invent his or her own signs. This is a good sign and it is okay to use signs your baby creates.
• Don't stop using signs once they are learned. Your baby will need to see them frequently to maintain what has been learned.
• Don't let people discourage you from using sign language. Research suggests that the use of sign language does not impede the development of spoken language.
• Don't give up. The process of learning language takes time.