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How many times have you wished that your crying baby could just tell you what was wrong? Well, in enters Baby Sign Language. This awesome tool can open up the lines of communication as early as when your baby is just four months old.
Okay, let's get to signing, starting with....
More… this is a very handy sign for your baby!
Bring your fingers together into a point. Then tap your fingers together repeatedly like this.
Eat
With the same hand shape used in the sign for “more,” bring your gathered fingers and thumb to your mouth and tap against your lips several times.
Hungry
Create a “c” shape with your hand and face the your palm toward your body. Then, slide hand down from throat to stomach. Think of your hand following the path that food makes.
Milk
Think of milking an udder. Make a fist with your hand, and open and close it as if milking a cow.
Water
The sign for water is done by making a “W” with your three middle fingers, tucking your pinkie and thumb together, and tapping your hand against your chin.
Please
You can teach your child manners with this one. Simply press the palm of one hand flat against your chest and move it in a circular motion.
Thank You
After they’ve said “please,” reward them with your thanks. Think of blowing a kiss from your chin rather than lips.
All Done
Hold both hands up at chest level, fingers extended and palms facing you. Then act like your flicking away dust.
Potty
Ever played, “I’ve got your nose,” with your baby? The same hand shape, thumb tucked between your first two fingers, is used to sign potty. Form the shape with your hand and then shake it back and forth several times like you’re ringing a bell.
Bath
Form both hands into fists, then imagine an old washboard, or scrubbing baby’s back. Rub your hands vertically up and down your torso.
Play
Hang ten, dude. There’s a reason that hand shape, thumbs and pinkies extended, other fingers tucked in, became the symbol of California surfer dudes. When you make the shape with both hands and twist them back and forth at the wrists, it means “play.”
Sleep
Start with your fingers open, palm facing you, at your forehead. Then draw them down your face, closing them as you go. Think of eyes closing in sleep.
Book
Press your palms together, fingers flat, and then make the motion of opening them. Keep the bottom edge of your palms touching just like a book’s spine.
Daddy
To make the sign for daddy hold your hand up with your fingers spread. Palm facing towards the side, tap your thumb to your forehead.
Mommy
The sign for “mommy” is the same as the sign for “daddy”—the only difference is that you tap your thumb to your chin.
Dog
The sign for dog is made by putting one hand down by your leg and snapping your fingers, just like you’re calling your dog inside. Snap with your thumb and middle finger.
Cat
The sign for cat mimics the whiskers on your cat’s face. Place one hand by your mouth where a cat’s whiskers grow. Think of drawing your hand outwards, like you’re running your fingers along the whiskers, while simultaneously pinching your index finger and thumb together.
I Love You
Think of one of the most natural expressions of love—a hug. Cross your arms in front of your chest, hands balled up as if you’re hugging yourself.
Yes
How do we often indicate “yes,” even when speaking? By nodding our head up and down. The sign for “yes,” makes the same motion only with your hand. Form one hand into a ball and hold it up near your shoulder, then wag it up and down as if you were nodding your head “yes.”
Help
Place your dominant hand, curled into a thumbs up, on top of the flat palm of your non-dominant hand. Have them down by your waist, then move them both up your body like the bottom hand is lifting the top hand.
Once again, I’ve got a cheat sheet with all 20 signs for you on MamaNatural.com.
Here are 3 tips on how to teach sign language to your child.
1. Start with the familiar
What are the activities and objects that baby does or sees on a regular basis? Start there. These probably include “more,” “milk,” “mom,” and “dad.”
2. Repeat, repeat, repeat
Repetition is key. Repeat those first few signs often—even if it doesn’t seem like baby is picking up on it. You might be tempted to try a different sign if baby isn’t picking up on the first signs you introduced, but it’s important to stick to the basics.
3. Keep your cool
Don’t expect your child to master this process over night—it’s a slow process. Keep it fun and encourage baby.
