Baby sign language is not just for babies with hearing issues. This method of non-verbal communication can be learned by babies as young as 6 months old and provides a way of communicating other than the rather unpleasant wailing and crying babies unable to say what they want resort to.

While baby sign can be learned as stated as early as 6-month-old most experts feel beginning to teach your baby around 9-10 months of age is ideal. This is when hand coordination is well developed and a desire to communicate is becoming stronger.

Some signs your baby may be ready to learn include:

• Making noises and babbling
• Using facial gestures in attempt to get attention or express wants
• Becomes socialable
• Has decent hand eye coordination eg can grab a rattle

One of the easiest baby signs to teach is “food”. To teach a sign begin by saying the phrase and repeating the hand motion. Repetition is key. Food is represented by placing your fingertips to your lips. So you would say things like, “Do you want some food?” and place your hands to your lips. It’s important to use the sign every time you express the want.

A few more helpful signs:

• Sleepy/Bed Time- Lay hand on cheek and tilt head to side
• Blanket/Cold- Mimic the motion of pulling a blanket up bring arms from sides out in front out you while making fists.
• Dirty Diaper- Point using two fingers to your thighs and tap

These are just examples, you can make up any signal you wish to communicate needs and wants between you and your baby, however if you wish to enroll your baby in day care or have others watch him or her finding common signs such as those listed above may be advised. This is your baby does not become confused if another caregiver expresses a different sign for a sign you are already teaching at home.

Some parent feel continuing to use sign as your baby ages may be detrimental to language development as a baby that can use sign has less of a need to use verbal communication, while this may be true current studies on the subject suggest this is false. You can continue to use sign as long as you wish, just be sure to also encourage verbal communication.