Many parents ask me why they should teach their child sign language, when their language development isn’t delayed. Typically developing children who are taught a handful of signs as babies often begin speaking sooner than children who aren’t. Why wouldn’t you want to give your child the power of communication to decrease their frustration?
The best way to begin to teach your child sign language is during everyday activities, such as mealtime. Meals are a perfect way to include the entire family in the process. Older children seem to enjoy teaching their siblings signs. Your child will be more successful at learning new signs if all family members use the signs with him/her.
Depending on your child’s age, start with 1 to 2 new signs when introducing new vocabulary. Once your child starts to use the new signs consistently, introduce 1 to 2 more new ones. It is okay if your child has a difficult time using the precise hand shapes of each sign. Accuracy of the signs will improve as your child’s fine motor skills improve. In the video examples, my three year old has a difficult time signing “bowl” and “spoon” accurately, but his approximations are close.
Teach Your Child Sign Language During Mealtime
Eat
The sign for “eat” is made by placing your fingers and thumb together and tapping your mouth several times.
Hungry
The sign for “hungry” is made by placing your right hand in the shape of a “C” at your throat. Then move your hand down to your stomach.
Bowl
The sign for “bowl” is made by slighting curving both hands hands and touching your finger tips together (palms facing up). Move your hands out and up, making the shape of a bowl.
Spoon
The sign for “spoon” is made by holding your left palm up near your stomach and placing your right hand in the letter “h” on top of the left hand. Move your right hand toward your mouth, as if you are scooping with your spoon.
Please refer to ASL University for a more detailed demonstration of “spoon”.
Finish
The sign “finish” is made by placing both your open hands in front of you (fingers pointed upward). Then twist both hands ending with your palms pointed slightly forward.
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How to Teach Your Child Sign Language with a Giveaway!
Xander and I had the pleasure of reviewing the book Let’s Sign: Every Baby’s Guide to Communicating with Grownups
This is the first time I have used a book to teach Xander sign language. He has enjoyed looking at the book while I’m teaching him new signs. Over the past few days he has been more interested in the sign for certain words and frequently asks me to look in his dictionary for the sign. I love to watch a child’s excitement when using books to learn new skills and have really enjoyed using Let’s Sign with Xander.
Let’s Sign: Every Baby’s Guide to Communicating with Grownups is a great way to get your child interested in using sign language in a variety of settings. One lucky reader will win a copy of the book!
This post contains affiliate links.
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: sugarnspicelife
September 10, 2012 at 10:47 AM
I’d love to teach Hailee all of the small things we taught Careena…it made it so easy to understand her!
Heather J recently posted..Maryland State Fair Fun
and you will do a fantastic job teaching her!!!
Twitter: CarrieWChildren
September 10, 2012 at 10:48 AM
My Molly knows “finished” and eat, but I would love for her to learn “hungry” and “spoon”
Carrie with Children recently posted..What I Saw This Weekend… Waterfront Picnic!
I love hungry and totally forgot how to sign it until I was writing this post. Xander loved learning that one.
Twitter: itsavol
September 10, 2012 at 11:16 AM
Finished. We get so confused trying to see if Evie is finished. That would be super helpful!
Sarah @ It’s a Vol recently posted..Swaddlebees One Size Simplex Review & Giveaway!
That’s a great one!!! Noah’s sign for finished is throwing his food- ugh!
Twitter: green_eyedmomma
September 10, 2012 at 12:00 PM
Great post! I wish I knew these signs when my youngest son, still wasnt talking at just shy of 3. Hurt, sad, or a sign of frustration, would have stopped the battles, biting, and acting out. These would have been a huge help! Thank you for sharing!
Jenny F recently posted..Disney On Ice – "Rockin’ Ever After" is Coming to Baltimore October 24-28, 2012
Yes those are great ones to teach and they for sure decrease a lot of frustration.
Twitter: KristenPGIP
September 10, 2012 at 1:01 PM
I signed with both of my girls when they were babies and it was amazing how quickly they picked it up and lost their frustration. I think it can be a lifesaver at a time in parenting when you already have enough stress factors to deal with. Being able to communicate takes a lot of the stress away.
Kristen recently posted..Body Care Introduction and Giveaway
It still amazes me just how quickly kids pick it up. My daycare provider is now inspired to use it with the kids and today was her first time spending dedicated time on it. She taught the kids “grumpy” and “sick” today. It made my day to see my three year old sign grumpy.
Twitter: hellonurse182
September 10, 2012 at 7:21 PM
This is a really awesome post, thanks for sharing!
Sarah recently posted..Discipline Your Children, God Wants You To!
Thanks so much!
The eat, hungry and finished look like great signs to start with! I would also want to teach “more” and “drink.” Thanks for the video – the illustrations are very helpful.
Those are all fantastic first signs to teach! Let me know if you have any questions along the way!
I used sign language with both of my children. I loved how i was able to communicate with them at such an early age!
mich recently posted..Belt it Out, How to wear belts!
i’m loving this, dear friend! olivia’s speech as bloomed and she’s got so many more words than even a couple weeks ago, but i’d love to expand her signs a bit more, especially when it comes to emotions – she’s got a lot of them, including a temper! i think it might help with the meltdowns
Twitter: SLP_Echo
September 14, 2012 at 10:50 AM
I would love to teach kiddos “bathroom” to help with potty training
Fantastic idea!!! May have to do a post on potty training signs.
Twitter: wifemummynurse
September 14, 2012 at 2:15 PM
I’d love to teach her bird, bee, butterfly, etc.
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Twitter: Swidfeer
March 10, 2013 at 3:52 AM
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