Baby Sign Language
http://www.babysignlanguage.com/
Top Ten Starter Signs
When first starting out with baby sign language, you will want to do just a few signs that
you repeat over and over. Once your baby learns these first few signs you can expand
your repertoire. You want to start out with signs that you can use frequently and that
represent something compelling to your baby.
A. Friends & Family Signs
Signs referring to important people in your baby’s life are early favorites. Not only will
your baby love signing them, adults love teaching baby their sign – so you will get help
from your partner, siblings, and relatives.
A1. Mom
Mom in Sign Language
Mommy is signed by tapping your thumb on your chin. In ASL female signs are usually
below the nose, and male signs above the nose.
A2. Dad
Dad in Sign Language
Dad is signed by tapping your thumb on your forehead. The signs for mom and dad are
similar, however, the mom sign is performed on the chin and the dad sign is performed
higher up on the forehead.
A3. Grandmother
Grandmother in Sign Language
Grandmother is similar to mother. You tap your thumb on your chin, but make a double
motion away from your face.
A4. Grandfather
Grandfather in Sign Language
Grandfather in ASL is similar to father. You tap your thumb on your forehead, but make a
double motion instead of a single motion.
Pets are of great interest to babies. You can capitalize on this natural interest, so if you
have a family pet these make great starter signs.
A5. Dog
Dog in Sign Language
Dog looks like you are calling a dog, by tapping your hand on your thigh.
A6. Cat
Cat in Sign Language
Cat looks like you are a cat, outlining your whiskers.
B. Food Signs
Babies love to eat, so start with some signs associated with favorite foods. Learning
these signs is very useful, letting baby signal that they are hungry in a constructive way
without fussing.
B1. Milk
Milk in Sign Language
Milk is signed by making opening and closing your hand, like you are milking a cow. This
is a very useful sign for babies who are breast feeding or on formula.
B2. Eat
Eat in Sign Language
Eat looks like you are putting food to your mouth, with you thumb to your fingers. Eat is
particularly useful for babies on solids. See video …
B3. More
More in Sign Language
More is signed by tapping your finger tips together. This is a very versatile sign useful in
many contexts, and is often the first sign learned.
B4. All Done
All Done in Sign Language
All Done is signed by twisting your hands back and forth. It allows baby to tell you they
are finished eating (without flinging food).
Keep it F.R.E.E.
F= Make sure it’s fun, be energetic and if the baby isn’t having a good time, it’s the
wrong time to practice.
R= Repeat, when you say the word, use the sign, everyday use reinforces the thought
for baby that these hand motions mean something.
E = Encourage, use an up tone voice, exaggerate your facial expressions and respond
with positive reinforcement when baby attempts to imitate or shows interest.
E= Expand, always work to grow your vocabulary and baby’s. Start with a few signs
and when you feel that they have been learned keep introducing new signs. At the
beginning this may mean 1 sign per week/month.
Baby Sign Language in the library is just another tool in our arsenal, a way to open up
the world for our patrons, no matter how young they are. Showing off 1 sign a week
during story time, can engage both parents and children of all ages. I’ve used it at Sing
& Sign, weekly story time and in visits to schools and it’s always a popular portion of the
visit.