We love using baby sign to help young babies and caregivers communicate. If you want to read the science behind why it helps develop language skills and how it activates the brain, check out our Signing with Babies post here.
Our friend, Elise Tate, just released her first book called Sign Me Up for a Happy Home. It’s filled with 15 baby signs and is full of great illustrations and written examples of how to do and remember each sign. Check it out here!
What we love
The explanations are clear and relatable to someone who has never signed
Each page includes simple tips on how to remember each sign
Great examples of how to work signs into your daily routines
Kids of all backgrounds and abilities are represented
Signs are in alphabetical order making it easy to reference during daily activities
Colorfully illustrated board book encourages baby play
Why we encourage signing with babies
Using sign language or gestures with a baby can often help them communicate earlier than they can verbally. Generally speaking, imitating gestures is easier than imitating words. Babies can see and hear words spoken and parents can help baby move their hands/arms to make the sign. This is powerful multi-sensory learning for your baby! Using signs with a young baby is also a great way to lay down a strong foundation for language skills. It allows caregivers to purposefully engage with their child, repeat and model common vocabulary words, models turn taking in conversation, and stimulates the language centers in the brain.
Benefits of signing with baby
Baby can communicate wants/needs at an earlier age
May decrease frustration for parents and child
Signing uses same conversation skills used in spoken language
Builds receptive and expressive vocabulary (understanding and communicating)
Develops hand and finger skills
Activates multiple areas of the brain including language, motor, and sensory centers
For more info on the scientific research behind baby signs and the lasting brain benefits, read our post on Signing with Babies here and to order your copy of the book, click here!
We’re Jaclyn & Bree
Pediatric therapists and moms with a mission to empower you with knowledge to encourage your baby’s development and continue confidently into your parenthood journey.
If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below and we will get back to you. As always, the information we share is meant to provide general education and tips and is not intended as medical advice. If you have a specific question or concern about your child’s development, please speak directly to your child’s doctor or therapist.