At What Age Should I Start Teaching My Baby Sign Language?
Well, you should definitely start by the time you are thirty. Oh, you meant the baby?
Just kidding.
Most moms choose to start teaching their babies to sign when they are about six months old, but as I’m sure you know, all babies are different.
When your baby starts to communicate with facial expressions and vocalizations, and his hands seem to be developing fine motor coordination, then you are ready to go!
But truly, you can start as early as you want. Most people start with the sign for milk, and your baby knows what milk is at a very young age. So, as you are getting ready to nurse, or give your baby a bottle, make the sign for milk. Many babies will start to sign milk back before they are six months old. Then, as you feel you and your baby are ready, you can slowly start to add more signs.
Many busy mothers get frustrated when they don’t see results and they think that they started too early. This is never the case. Any signing you do with your baby is building a foundation for communication. And any interaction you do with your baby is helping your baby’s brain to grow and develop. So never think that you are wasting your time!
Some babies take longer to catch on than others. Some babies know exactly what you are saying, but just don’t feel the need to imitate you. They are their own little people with their own little ideas, and some babies just don’t get all that excited about signing.
So, if you do start at six months, and your baby still isn’t responding and he’s nine months old, stay the course! You are not alone! She will either learn to sign or talk eventually! You don’t see many twelve year olds pointing at the sugared cereal display while screaming and kicking their feet, do you?
When in doubt, reach out to other signing moms. Ask them when they started, and when they started to see results. You will probably get a variety of answers, and some of them are sure to make you feel better!
This guest post is brought to you by the Baby Sign Language website. We are here to answer all your Baby Sign Language needs and make sure you get started with everything you need.
