Baby Sign Language: Communicate Without Words & Interview with Experts

Baby Sign Language: Speaking with Hands

Little Noah sticks his tongue out and happily pants like a little dog. His mom immediately understands what the one-year-old means: "That's right Noah, that's a dog!" Meanwhile, Mia tilts her head to the side and closes her eyes. She is tired. The two children are attending a baby sign language class with their moms. No, they are not deaf and practicing sign language for the hearing impaired. Their moms attend the weekly meetings to communicate better with their children who cannot yet speak.

"Sign language helps us understand what our child wants to communicate. And what's very important to us: Sign language is fun for the whole family. Especially our older daughter Ottilie is thrilled to finally be able to communicate a bit with her little sister and share a kind of secret language with her," Mia's mom enthusiastically shares. These classes are not only a way to improve communication but also an opportunity to strengthen family bonds.

What is Baby Sign Language?

Originally popularized in the USA, baby sign language has also gained popularity in many other countries. The idea behind it is simple yet brilliant: Babies learn to communicate their needs and observations through simple hand signs. These so-called baby signs are gestures that represent terms from a baby's everyday life, such as "milk," "dog," or "sleeping." In special courses, babies learn to use these signs to express what they cannot yet articulate in words.

Parents practice these terms with their children – casually and playfully – and use them alongside spoken language. For example, for "milk," the right hand is clenched into a fist at chest height, then the fist is opened and closed three times, symbolizing milking a cow. A gentle stroke of the cheek means "mom." These gestures are not only intuitive but also easy to learn, helping children navigate their environment better.

Communication from Day One

Your baby communicates with their entire body from day one. Hunger, cold, joy, surprise – all of these (and much more) can be expressed by babies through a combination of sound and body language. When parents take enough time, they quickly learn to understand their baby. For children, gestures and signs hold great importance – they can communicate without mastering spoken language.

The ability to express oneself nonverbally is crucial for babies. Even a newborn can communicate its basic needs and feelings through crying, smiling, or frowning. Baby sign language builds on these natural forms of communication and expands them with specific signs that make exchanges between parents and children smoother. This makes everyday life more relaxed and harmonious for everyone involved.

Sign Language as a Bridge to Learning to Speak

An expert in baby sign language has observed in many families that baby signs significantly ease daily life: "A child that can communicate – whether through baby signs or spoken language – is more content." This satisfaction arises from the feeling of being understood and being able to actively participate in family life. Children who learn to express themselves through signs early on often develop a better understanding of language and communication in general.

Thus, baby sign language serves as a bridge between the nonverbal communication of early childhood and spoken language. By using gestures to express themselves, children learn that certain movements are linked to specific meanings. This understanding later facilitates their transition to spoken language, as they have already developed a basic understanding of the structure and function of communication.

When Should I Start with Baby Sign Language?

The best time to start is between six and nine months of age. At this point, little ones are capable of understanding a lot – but they cannot express it yet. Now they also have the necessary motor skills to coordinate their hands and fingers. An expert recommends: "If your child points to objects, uses the gesture 'wave goodbye' when saying goodbye, or raises their arms when asked how big they are, they will be able to incorporate baby signs into their repertoire alongside these commonly used gestures."

An ideal introduction to the world of baby signs is through simple games and songs that involve gestures. These activities are not only entertaining but also promote motor skills and understanding of the connection between action and meaning. Parents can easily integrate these games into their daily routines, whether during diaper changes, feeding, or playtime. Through regular repetition, children learn the signs playfully and without pressure.

Baby Sign Course: Fun for Young and Old

A baby sign course is anything but a school lesson: While new signs are learned each week, the focus is on parents having fun being together with their child. Just like in other play sessions, there is singing and clapping – and of course, plenty of time for parents to connect with each other.

These courses provide a wonderful opportunity to meet other parents and share the challenges and joys of parenting. Friendships often develop here that last beyond the course duration. Additionally, parents receive valuable tips and suggestions on how to apply the signs in everyday life to improve communication with their child.

Should Every Child Learn Baby Sign Language?

Some may wonder: Do we really need a sign language to communicate with our child? Many pediatricians and linguists believe: No! If parents do not practice baby sign language with their children, they miss nothing. Those who observe their child attentively quickly learn how they feel and what they need.

On the other hand, baby sign language certainly does not harm. At least not if parents approach the course and learning the signs in a relaxed manner and are not disappointed if a friend's baby learns the signs a bit earlier than their own child. If parents take the concept of baby signs too seriously, there is a risk that spontaneous interaction with the child may be neglected because the correct signs become too central to the "conversation."

"Baby signs are not taught; they should naturally flow into play and conversation with the child. The more fun you and your child have with baby signs, the faster they will imitate them!" This statement emphasizes the importance of approaching the learning of signs playfully and without pressure. Every child is different, and while some children pick up the signs quickly, others may need more time. It is important for parents to be patient and respect their child's individual needs and pace.

Baby Sign Language: Interview with an Expert

An expert brought baby sign language to Germany and established a network that conducts parent-child groups, workshops for parents and educational staff, as well as training for daycare centers. In baby sign language, parents learn about 75 signs based on sign language. We asked her all the important questions about baby sign language.

When is the right time to start with baby sign language?

It is never too early to start with baby signs, as it helps even very young babies recognize and understand the key word of a sentence. We recommend attending our baby sign parent-child groups starting at six to nine months up to the second year of life.

Some children begin to imitate their first baby signs consciously at six to nine months because their hand motor skills are already developed enough, and they can also understand frequently used words. However, this depends on the individual development pace and varies from child to child. Some babies are very communicative, while for others, learning to crawl or walk may take precedence, and interactive communication may have to wait a bit longer.

What is your own experience with baby signs?

My own daughter, as the second-born, experienced baby signs almost from day one and understood the sign for "milk" at four months, using it herself at five months to signal when it was time to breastfeed again. Other children may first absorb everything, storing initial terms more easily and expressing themselves later. These different learning curves show how individual the process of language acquisition is and that it is important to support each child at their own pace.

What advantages do children who learn sign language have over other children?

The goal of baby signs is to simplify daily life with a toddler through better mutual understanding. This can be achieved with just a handful of signs, making everyone involved more content and relaxed! The baby understands their parents better, as the gesture directs the baby's attention to the key word of their sentence. Additionally, parents automatically speak slower, more child-friendly, and more with their child.

The use of baby signs can also help reduce frustration on both sides. When a child can clearly communicate their needs and wishes, there are fewer misunderstandings and less reason for tears. Parents often report that their children are calmer and more content when using signs, contributing to an overall more harmonious family atmosphere.

And how do parents benefit from sign language?

Parents find it very pleasant when the baby can simply "say" or clearly show what they need or what they are thinking about. Without fussing and crying, babies' needs can be met quickly.

The playful use of concrete gestures alongside speech gives young children more orientation and security in everyday life at home or in care, pays attention to their needs, and awakens joy in speaking. Parents often feel relieved when they can better understand and respond to their child's needs, which strengthens their confidence in their parenting abilities.

What does science say about the benefits of baby sign language?

Studies have shown that using and benefiting from gestures helps us remember words more quickly, as gestures activate and support the corresponding language areas in the brain. It has been found that even toddlers show a connection between language and gesture: The more frequently 14-month-old children use their hands while speaking, the larger their vocabulary is at ages four and five.

It is also documented that gestures help children perceive and express their own feelings and that the use of baby signs does not hinder language acquisition but rather promotes it through additional closeness and attentive communication. The use of gestures can also support cognitive development by promoting understanding of cause and effect and helping children grasp complex concepts.

Do children who use sign language learn to speak later than their peers?

No, that is not to be feared; rather, the opposite is true. Long-term studies have demonstrated various advantages of baby signs for overall child development, including positive effects on language comprehension and speaking ability, as well as vocabulary size and the onset of speech. In simple terms: Babies communicate earlier, learn to speak earlier, and develop a larger vocabulary.

Furthermore, by linking words and movements, we help them remember new words better and recall them more easily. The process of learning to speak thus becomes more child-friendly. And: No child has ever skipped learning to walk just because they were making good progress with crawling in the meantime. In the same way, baby signs are the precursor to speaking.

Are the hand signs for babies really that new? Or are we just intensifying something we've always done?

Yes, essentially, baby signs are something well-known: Everyone already knows and uses simple hand signs when interacting with non-speaking babies, such as waving goodbye, holding a hand behind the ear to listen, placing a finger on the mouth for quiet, stroking the belly when something is tasty, or clapping for "bravo." It's like child's play. Those who want more of this joy and the sparkle in children's eyes can simply try out additional gestures.

The new aspect of baby signs is now using conscious gestures for further terms to visualize them. Through these accompanying movements, children learn to speak faster and more easily. Baby signs are therefore not a replacement but an addition and an age-appropriate and developmentally suitable bridge on the way to understandable spoken language.

The conscious integration of gestures into everyday life can also help sharpen awareness of nonverbal communication and improve the ability to respond to the subtle signals and needs of children. This can lead to a deeper emotional connection between parents and children and strengthen the child's trust and security.

What does learning baby signs look like in everyday life?

Parents naturally demonstrate the gestures while speaking and acting in the context of everyday situations. I accompany my spoken key word with the corresponding hand movement of the sign. Often, these gestures are so vivid that they ideally represent what they refer to, making concept formation easier.

Practically, it looks like this: The child is addressed and hears the words: "Shall we have something to DRINK?", simultaneously sees the gesture (DRINK – moving the hand like a tipped cup to the mouth) and observes us in the context of the action. In this way, automatically occurring actions are accompanied by language much more consciously.

In the end, children decide for themselves which baby signs they find great and which seem useful to them. They will only use the ones they like. Some families are happy with five signs, while others may coax more signs out of their parents because they want to name things in their environment. Everyone can find their own way. The main thing is that it’s fun!

Can baby sign language be learned without a course?

Of course, baby signs can also be learned without a course. However, the play suggestions, everyday tips, and exchange often greatly benefit parents. Many parents, where there are no course offerings nearby, usually start with books or apps that explain the most important starter signs.

The internet offers numerous resources, videos, and guides that can help parents learn baby sign language and integrate it into their daily lives. It is important for parents to be patient and use the signs regularly and consistently to maximize the learning effect. Additionally, exchanging experiences with other parents who have already used baby signs can provide valuable insights and tips.

Conclusion: A New Way of Communication

Baby sign language opens up an exciting opportunity to communicate with your child early on and better understand their needs. Whether you attend a course or learn the signs on your own – what matters is that the fun and joy of sharing together take center stage. You will be amazed at how quickly your little one picks up the signs and develops their own "secret language." You're doing great!