Is it difficult to learn?

Teaching your baby to sign is as easy as teaching them to wave bye-bye or blow kisses. Babies are natural mimics so there is no requirement to subject your baby to structured lessons or special training.

What is the best age to start?

Research shows that on average, babies who are shown signs consistently from 6 months begin signing at around 8.5 months. Of course all babies are different; some babies may not start signing back until they are 11 months or older while others may start signing right away.

How is it done?

This is how baby sign language works - a mother asks her baby “Would you like some milk?”, making the sign for milk as she speaks it. The baby hears the word and sees the sign - babies quickly make the connection between the gesture and the word. They can then use the sign themselves if and when they choose.

Getting started

Start with a few simple signs such as milk, more, eat, and finished. These make good first signs because they are central to your baby’s everyday existence, so you will have plenty of opportunities to use them in context.. Also, these signs all look different enough from each other so that you should be able to recognize them when your baby starts signing them to you.

I think I saw my baby sign!

Your baby's first signs may not be perfected executed but it's important to encourage and congratulate all attempts.

Once your baby starts using some signs, then you can start introducing additional signs. The fun is just beginning and your child is sure to delight you with the many ingenious ways they will use signing. Babies often find new and creative ways to use existing signs and may even make up their own signs.

The most important thing to remember is to relax - be patient. Every baby works on their own timetable and has their own individul interests. Have fun getting to know your baby and make the most of this special time together.