Most babies are developmentally ready for parents to begin signing around four months<\/strong>, though baby won\u2019t likely be able to sign back until they\u2019re seven to nine months old.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n How to Teach It to Your Child <\/h2>\n1. Start with the familiar<\/h3>\n
What are the activities and objects that baby does or sees on a regular basis? Start there. Start by introducing signs baby will frequently use, such as \u201cmore,\u201d \u201cmilk,\u201d \u201cmom,\u201d or \u201cdad,\u201d so you\u2019ll have ample opportunities to use those signs.<\/p>\n
2. Repeat, repeat, repeat<\/h3>\n
Repetition is key. Repeat those first few signs often\u2014even if it doesn\u2019t seem like baby is picking up on it. You might be tempted to try a different sign if baby isn\u2019t picking up on the first signs you introduced, but it\u2019s important to stick to the basics. Once baby has mastered the initial 4-5 signs, then you can expand their vocabulary and add another 4-5 into the rotation.<\/p>\n
3. Keep your cool<\/h3>\n
Don\u2019t expect your child to master this process over night\u2014it\u2019s a slow process. Keep it fun and encourage baby. Praise baby when they understand and\/or repeat your actions. Keep a smile on your face, and make sure that you\u2019re holding your hands where baby can see them.<\/p>\n
\n Baby Sign Language Flash Cards <\/h2>\n
These words are very relevant to baby\u2019s routine, so you\u2019ll naturally use them often. Remember: Repetition is key.<\/p>\n
More<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language more card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nKeep your fingers straight and press your fingers to your thumbs. Then open and close your hands repeatedly with your thumbs turned towards your body. It\u2019s kind of like making an alligator mouth, only turned on its side.<\/p>\n
Eat<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language eat card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nWith the same hand shape used in the sign for \u201cmore,\u201d turn your fingers to face the sky and tap them repeatedly against your lips.<\/p>\n
Hungry<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language hungry card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nPress your palm flat against your chest, under your chin, and slide it down to your belly. Think of your hand following the path that food makes.<\/p>\n
Milk<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language milk card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nIf you\u2019ve ever milked a cow, you\u2019ll recognize the sign for \u201cmilk.\u201d Think of milking an udder. Make a fist with your hand, thumb facing you and fingers tucked behind your thumb, and open and close it as if milking a cow.<\/p>\n
Water<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language water card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nThink \u201cW\u201d for water. The sign for water is done by making a \u201cW\u201d with your three middle fingers, pressing your pinkie and thumb together out of sight, and tapping your hand against your chin.<\/p>\n
Please<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language please card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nWhen your baby has learned the signs for \u201ceat,\u201d \u201cmilk,\u201d and \u201cwater,\u201d you can move to asking them to say \u201cplease\u201d before fulfilling their request. Simply press the palm of one hand flat against your chest and move it in a circular motion.<\/p>\n
Thank You<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language thank you card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nAfter they\u2019ve said \u201cplease,\u201d reward them with your thanks. Tap your fingers to your chin and then make the same motions as blowing a kiss.<\/p>\n
All Done<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language all done card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nHold both hands up at chest level, fingers extended and palms facing you. Then flip them out, so the palms face your baby.<\/p>\n
Change<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language change card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nThis is a more complicated sign. Curl the fingers of both hands into a ball, leaving your index finger out. Tuck it into a hook shape, then cross your hands at the wrists and switch them, top to bottom, several times.<\/p>\n
Potty<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language potty card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nEver played, \u201cI\u2019ve got your nose,\u201d with your baby? The same hand shape, thumb tucked between your first two fingers, is used to sign potty. Form the shape with your hand and then shake it back and forth several times like you\u2019re ringing a bell.<\/p>\n
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Get a free, printable one-pager with all 20 of these signs!<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\n
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\n- A free, printable chart.<\/li>\n
- The top 20 baby signs.<\/li>\n
- A simple one-page cheat sheet.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Bath<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language bath card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nForm both hands into fists, then imagine an old washboard, or scrubbing baby\u2019s back. Rub your hands vertically up and down your torso.<\/p>\n
Play<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language play card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nHang ten, dude. There\u2019s a reason that hand shape, thumbs and pinkies extended, other fingers tucked in, became the symbol of California surfer dudes. When you make the shape with both hands and twist them back and forth at the wrists, it means \u201cplay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sleep<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language sleep card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nStart with your fingers open, palm facing you, at your forehead. Then draw them down your face, closing them as you go. Think of eyes closing in sleep.<\/p>\n
Book<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language book card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nPress your palms together, fingers flat, and then make the motion of opening them. Keep the bottom edge of your palms touching just like a book\u2019s spine.<\/p>\n
Daddy<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language daddy card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nTo make the sign for daddy hold your hand up with your fingers spread. Palm facing towards the side, tap your thumb to your forehead.<\/p>\n
Mommy<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language mommy card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nThe sign for \u201cmommy\u201d is the same as the sign for \u201cdaddy\u201d\u2014the only difference is that you tap your thumb to your chin.<\/p>\n
Dog<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language dog card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nThe sign for dog is made by putting one hand down by your leg and snapping your fingers, just like you\u2019re calling your dog inside. Snap with your thumb and middle finger.<\/p>\n
Cat<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language cat card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nThe sign for cat mimics the whiskers on your cat\u2019s face. Place one hand by your mouth where a cat\u2019s whiskers grow. Think of drawing your hand outwards, like you\u2019re running your fingers along the whiskers, while simultaneously pinching your index finger and thumb together.<\/p>\n
I Love You<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language i love you card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nThink of one of the most natural expressions of love\u2014a hug. Cross your arms in front of your chest, hands balled up as if you\u2019re hugging yourself.<\/p>\n
Yes<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language yes card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nHow do we often indicate \u201cyes,\u201d even when speaking? By nodding our head up and down. The sign for \u201cyes,\u201d makes the same motion only with your hand. Form one hand into a ball and hold it up near your shoulder, then wag it up and down as if you were nodding your head \u201cyes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Help<\/h3>\n
Baby Sign Language help card \u2013 Mama Natural<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\nHow often does your baby reach out their arms and ask to be lifted up? The sign for \u201chelp\u201d is similar. Place your dominant hand, curled into a thumbs up, on top of the flat palm of your non-dominant hand. Have them down by your waist, then move them both up your body like the bottom hand is lifting the top hand.<\/p>\n
\n Baby Sign Language Chart <\/h2>\n
Okay, there you have it, the top 20 baby sign language signs! To help you and baby master them, I\u2019ve created a free, printable one page guide for you!<\/p>\n
![\"Top](\"https:\/\/www.mamanatural.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Top-20-Baby-Signs-Sign-Language-Chart-by-Mama-Natural-250x324.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
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Get a high-res, printable version of this chart!<\/h3>\n
\n <\/p>\n
\n
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\n- A free, printable cheat sheet.<\/li>\n
- The top 20 baby signs.<\/li>\n
- A clean, simple one-pager.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
And Don\u2019t Forget\u2026<\/h2>\n
If you\u2019re getting discouraged, take a deep breath and keep at it. Sign language takes patience and lots of repetition.<\/strong> Even if it seems like baby isn\u2019t grasping the concept at first, you might be surprised when they sign \u201cmilk\u201d out of the blue! Your hard work will\u00a0<\/em>eventually pay off.<\/strong><\/p>\n ![](\"https:\/\/www.mamanatural.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Baby-Sign-Language-How-to-Communicate-Before-Baby-Starts-Talking-baby-post-by-Mama-Natural-Pinterest.jpg\")
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