Teaching sign language to babies

[shortbun]

We taught our son to sign when he was about 5 months old. We first taught him 'hungry' then 'more' then 'all done' and 'mom' and 'dad.' As he grew older, we always said the words as he signed so he made a verbal association. He had a Latina day care provider so his first real word was 'agua' although he could sign it as well. As he learned to speak, the signing went away. 'All done' was the last to go because he used this to ask to finish or stop almost everything or refuse activities.

 

[HannaBelle]

+1 for teaching signs!

My DBro and SIL have twins that are now 28 months. They started teaching basic signs at 4 months and the boys did great with them! We all learned with them...

please
thank you
all done
more
milk
mommy
daddy
down
up

My oldest is now 16 and I only wish I had thought/learned to do this! As they grew, we always spoke orally what we communicated in signs. I do not believe it delayed their speech at all.

They are not identical and have developed at their own pace. One is very verbal and can speak clearly, while his brother talks all the time, we just don't know what he is trying to say about half the time! It is adorable!

I am not the least bit biased.