At The Happy Start, we’re obsessed with unlocking your baby’s full developmental potential, and what’s more exciting than helping your little one communicate their needs and wants before they can speak?
Teaching your baby American Sign Language (ASL) is a wonderful way to connect, reduce frustration, and build a strong foundation for language skills. Studies show that babies often develop the motor skills to sign before they can clearly vocalize complex words—giving them a vital way to tell you what they need with a simple gesture instead of a cry.
Ready to start the conversation and instill some early manners? Here is our guide to introducing basic signs and fostering happy, clear communication with your infant.
When to Start Signing
Most experts recommend introducing signs between 6 and 9 months of age. This is when babies begin to pay closer attention to hand movements and are developing the fine motor skills required to imitate simple gestures.
Don't worry if your baby doesn't sign back right away. Consistency is the key! They are absorbing and understanding the language for weeks or even months before their tiny hands can form the signs themselves.
The Golden Rules of Teaching ASL
- Always Say the Word: When you sign, always say the corresponding word aloud. Sign language is a bridge to spoken language, not a replacement. For example, when signing PLEASE, say the word "please."
- Repetition and Context: Use the sign in the correct context, every time. If you are serving them food, sign and say "EAT." If they receive a toy, sign and say "THANK YOU."
- Be Patient with Approximations: Your baby’s signs won't look perfect. As long as the intent is clear, accept and reward the effort! The signs will become clearer with practice.
- Get Loved Ones Involved: Make sure anyone who regularly cares for your baby (partners, grandparents, caretakers) uses the same signs consistently.
5 Essential Signs for Needs and Manners
These five signs are highly motivating because they give your baby control over basic needs while introducing key concepts of politeness.
1. More
The "More" sign gives your baby the ability to request a continuation of anything they enjoy—food, tickles, books, or playtime.
- How to Sign: Bring both hands up. Gather your fingers and thumbs together (like a flattened 'O' shape on both hands). Tap the fingertips of both hands together repeatedly.
- When to Use It: When offering a second spoonful of food or asking if they want to keep playing with a toy.
- See the Visual: How to sign MORE in ASL
2. Eat / Food
The general sign for food, this is essential for communicating hunger or focusing on mealtime.
- How to Sign: Use your dominant hand to form a flattened 'O' shape (fingers and thumb touching). Tap your fingertips gently against your mouth once or twice.
- When to Use It: Right before mealtime, or anytime you are talking about food.
- See the Visual: How to sign EAT in ASL
3. All Done / Finished
This sign is empowering for babies, allowing them to communicate when they are full, finished with a game, or simply ready to move on.
- How to Sign: Hold both hands up in front of you, palms facing in. Twist your wrists quickly so your palms face out and fingers splay open (as if pushing everything away).
- When to Use It: After they take their last bite of food, or when you are cleaning up a toy basket.
- See the Visual: How to sign ALL DONE in ASL
4. Please
Introducing the sign for "Please" helps your child learn polite requests, turning demands into positive communication right from the start.
- How to Sign: Take your dominant hand, flatten it, and place it over the center of your chest. Rub your hand in a gentle, repeated circular motion.
- When to Use It: Every time you hand your baby a desired item (food, toy, etc.), prompting them to learn the polite request.
- See the Visual: How to sign PLEASE in ASL
5. Thank You
This wonderful sign gives your baby a powerful and positive way to express gratitude and respond to kind acts.
- How to Sign: Flatten your dominant hand with fingers together. Touch your fingertips to your chin (or near your mouth) and move your hand forward and slightly down, toward the person you are thanking.
- When to Use It: When you receive anything from another person (a toy, a hug, a snack). Always sign it yourself when someone gives you something.
- See the Visual: How to sign THANK YOU in ASL
