According to research, babies are ready for their parents to begin signing to them around 4 months of age. However, babies typically cannot sign back until approximately 7 to 9 months of age. Signing to babies has proven to be an effective method for increasing language skills.
Some ideas for the first words to sign to baby are:
- All Done-This helps baby to know that something is finished. It can also help with transitions from one activity to another.
- Help-Teaches baby to be able to request when he/she needs help rather than having a tantrum.
- Eat-Baby is able to let mom or dad that the he/she is hungry.
- Drink-Baby is able to communicate that he/she is thirsty.
- Mommy-Baby is able to identify and/or request mommy.
- Daddy-Baby is able to identify and/or request daddy.
- Play-Baby is able to request to play.
* More-A word of caution about this sign. While it is a popular sign to teach babies, it is better for babies to learn more specific signs for specific vocabulary. Many times, once a baby learns this sign, he/she will use it for EVERYTHING so it becomes confusing as to what is being requested. More juice? More food? More play?
Pictures and videos of how to sign the words can easily be found on the internet as well as in baby sign books.