When to Start Baby Sign Language: Tips for Parents

Using Baby Sign Language with children can be a great way to enhance communication and language development. But when is the best time to start using baby sign language with your child?

5 Tips for Starting Baby Sign Language:

1. Start Early

The earlier you start using baby sign language with your child, the better.
Some parents may wait until their child is 6 months old, but starting earlier than that can help them understand what they are learning even if they cannot sign back yet.
This better prepares them for when they reach the milestone that allows them to sign back, making it easier for them to communicate their needs and wants.
Once, they are able to sign back they will already understand the sign and will be ready to sign without much practice!

2. Basic Signs

When starting out, it’s best to use basic signs that are easy for your child to understand and use.
Common signs to start with include “milk,” “eat,” “drink,” “all done,” and “diaper.”
These signs can help your child communicate their basic needs and wants, reducing frustration and enhancing parent-child bonding.

3. Consistency

Consistency is key when using sign language with your child.
Use signs consistently when you talk to your children, that way they can start to associate the signs with their meaning.
Use signs in context, that way your children can see how they relate to what you’re saying.
Encourage your children to sign by modeling the signs and praising them when they use them correctly.

4. Parents’ Readiness

It’s important to note that when to start using sign language is also about when the parent is ready, not just the child.
Learning sign language takes time and effort, and it’s important for parents to be committed to using it consistently with their child.
If a parent is not ready or interested in using sign language, it may not be as effective in enhancing communication and language development for the child.
Remember, it is not about when the child is ready, it is about when the parent is ready.

5. Patience

Learning sign language takes time and patience, both for you and your child.
Don’t get discouraged if your child doesn’t pick up on signs right away or if they mix up signs.
It’s a learning process, and with time and practice, your child will become more proficient in signing.

Starting baby sign language early before 6 months, can be beneficial for your child’s development. By using simple signs, staying consistent, and being patient in your approach, your child will become proficient in signing while also enhancing your communication and bonding with them. Deciding, when to start baby sign language, can make all the difference in your child’s development which is why we recommend starting early. But remember, it’s also important for parents to be ready and committed to using sign language with their child, the child will be ready when you are ready. Get started today!