Babies Baby Development Baby Sign Language 11 Basic Baby Sign Language Words to Teach Your Baby First Did you know that babies typically begin talking around 13 to 18 months old? That may seem like a long time, but if you're eager to begin communication sooner, you're in luck because babies as young as 6 months can begin to understand baby sign language. Baby sign language borrows certain words from American Sign Language (ASL) to help parents and babies communicate specific needs such as hunger or sleepiness. Babies are not learning ASL as a full, rich language, but they are learning how to use key ASL signs to let you know their immediate needs and wants. Introduce your baby to signing with these simple sign language symbols for common words. Go ahead: Give baby something to talk about! By Lexi Walters Updated on July 13, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Peter Ardito 01 of 12 Mommy Peter Ardito How to sign it: Spread out your fingers on one hand, then touch the thumb of that hand to the side of your chin several times. Teaching Baby Sign Language: A Guide for New Parents 02 of 12 Daddy Peter Ardito How to sign it: Spread out your fingers on one hand, then touch the thumb of that hand to the side of your forehead several times. 03 of 12 Again Peter Ardito How to sign it: Open the palm of one hand and curve the fingers of the other. Starting with your hands apart, bring your finger tips across your body and tap open hand, then repeat. 04 of 12 Eat Peter Ardito How to sign it: Squeeze the tips of your fingers together to form a point, and place that hand in front of pursed lips. Bring your hand away from your mouth, then back to it. A Week-by-Week Guide to Developmental Milestones During a Baby's First Year 05 of 12 More Peter Ardito How to sign it: Squeeze together the tips of your fingers on each hand to form two points. Touch the tips of each point together, then separate and repeat a few times. 06 of 12 Sleep Peter Ardito How to sign it: Place one hand in front of your face, palm facing toward you. Close your hand to a fist and drop in to your chin, closing your eyes. Drag that fist downward, eyes still closed. 07 of 12 Cold Peter Ardito How to sign it: With your shoulders slightly raised, clench both hands in front of your body, by your shoulders. (You can shiver a little bit, too, for effect.) 10 Ways to Boost Your Baby's Language Development 08 of 12 Milk Peter Ardito How to sign it: Close your fingers into a fist with one hand and hold it in front of your chest like you're holding a bottle. 09 of 12 Bath Peter Ardito How to sign it: Close your hands and hold them in front of your chest. Move them up and down in alternating directions as if you're scrubbing your body. 10 of 12 Bye-Bye Peter Ardito How to sign it: With fingers bent, wave your open palm from side to side next to your shoulder. 11 of 12 Cat Peter Ardito How to sign it: Pinch together your thumb and pointer fingers, splaying out the other fingers on your hand. Drag that hand up and away from your face a few inches, as if you were tracing a cat's whiskers. Baby Sign Language Made Easy: 50 Words With Animations 12 of 12 Your Video Guide to Starter Signs Updated by Dean Schoeppner Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit