Signing with your baby

Sign language is a gestural practice that, over the past few years, has won over many parents and early-years professionals. It can be very difficult — sometimes impossible — to understand a very young child, especially when they have not yet developed speech and burst into tears. Here is a language that rewards attentiveness...

Signing with your baby: how does it work?

Sign language, like any skill, is acquired through practice and time. Signing with your baby can be a transitional step towards spoken language.

For a deaf person, signing is second nature, but for someone who has never signed, you will need to learn and bring this new language into your daily routine.

There are many resources available for learning the signs that represent useful actions and words with your child, such as: "more", "I love you", "change the diaper", "eat"... You will find plenty of books on the subject (1), as well as numerous videos on YouTube.

From what age can you start signing with a child?

You can begin signing with a child from as early as 6 months, and continue until they are able to make themselves understood without crying, around 24 months. A 6-month-old baby will not necessarily copy the signs straight away, but they will learn to understand them through repetition and the action that follows each sign. You may well be surprised by how quickly children learn and how naturally they mimic.

What are the benefits of signing with your baby?

As mentioned above, it primarily helps to make communication between child and adult easier. Many nurseries are now training in sign language because the results are very encouraging. It also helps to:

Improve communication between child and adult

Reduce frustration on both sides

Stimulate the child's intellectual development and memory

Reduce meltdowns and tantrums

Strengthen the emotional bond and boost self-confidence as well as independence

Does sign language delay speech?

A common belief is that sign language delays speech in children. Experience shows the opposite: a child who signs is a child who develops a curiosity for language and a greater desire to express themselves.

How do you integrate sign language into everyday life?

For sign language to be effective, it is important to introduce it gradually into your baby's daily routine. Choose key moments in the day such as mealtimes, bath time, or bedtime, and pair simple signs with everyday words. Consistency is essential so that the child naturally associates the signs with their meanings. Using repetition whilst verbalising each sign reinforces understanding and encourages your baby to interact more quickly. To optimise learning, don't hesitate to involve other family members so that the child can practise in different settings. In this way, signing becomes a game and a source of pleasure for the child, whilst supporting their language development.