Teaching Sign Language to 8 Month Old Babies: Tips and Tricks

As parents, we all want to give our children the best start in life, and one way to do this is by teaching them sign language. Not only is it a fun and interactive way to communicate with your baby, but research has shown that it can also improve their cognitive and language development.

Many parents may wonder when to start teaching their child sign language. Eight months old is a great age to start, as this is when babies start to understand language and develop their motor skills. In this article, we will provide tips and tricks for teaching sign language to your 8-month-old baby.

Learning sign language can seem daunting at first, but with the right tools and guidance, it can be an enjoyable experience for both you and your baby. In this article, we will provide you with the tools you need to start teaching your baby sign language today.

Keep reading to learn about the benefits of teaching sign language to babies, the best age to start, common signs to begin with, tips for success, and fun activities to incorporate sign language into your daily routine.

Why Sign Language is Beneficial for Babies

Babies start to communicate their needs and wants long before they develop verbal language skills. Teaching your baby sign language can help bridge that communication gap and promote bonding between you and your child. Not only does it foster a deeper relationship, but it also has numerous cognitive and developmental benefits.

Research has shown that babies who learn sign language are able to communicate earlier and have larger vocabularies than those who don’t. In addition to enhancing language development, sign language also boosts cognitive and intellectual growth.

Another benefit of teaching sign language to your baby is that it can help to reduce frustration and tantrums. When babies are unable to express their needs and wants, they may resort to crying or throwing a tantrum. With sign language, your baby can communicate more effectively and have their needs met, which can lead to a happier, more content baby.

Studies have also found that learning sign language can increase a child’s overall IQ, as well as improve their ability to problem-solve and think abstractly. By teaching your baby sign language, you’re giving them a head start in their education and setting them up for success later in life.

Moreover, sign language can help your baby to develop fine motor skills, such as finger dexterity and hand-eye coordination. It’s a fun and interactive way to help your baby learn and grow.

Socialization is another area where sign language can benefit your baby. When babies are able to communicate effectively, they are more likely to interact with their peers and form positive relationships. This can help with their emotional development and prepare them for social situations later in life.

The Benefits of Early Communication

1. Enhanced Language Development: Babies who learn sign language from an early age are able to communicate earlier and more effectively than those who don’t. This can lead to better language development and improved vocabulary skills later in life.

2. Reduced Frustration: Babies who can sign are able to communicate their needs and desires more easily, reducing the frustration that comes with not being able to express themselves. This can lead to happier, calmer babies and parents.

3. Improved Bonding: Learning sign language with your baby creates a special bonding experience. It helps parents and babies develop a deeper understanding of each other and can enhance the parent-child relationship.

4. Increased Cognitive Abilities: Studies have shown that learning sign language can improve cognitive abilities and may lead to better problem-solving skills in the future.

5. Expanded Social Opportunities: Knowing sign language can expand social opportunities for babies and children with hearing impairments, as well as provide an opportunity for babies to communicate with others who know sign language.

6. Early Introduction to Multilingualism: Learning sign language can be an early introduction to multilingualism, as it is a visual language that can be easily incorporated alongside spoken language.

Teaching your baby sign language has many benefits. By starting early, you can help your baby communicate more effectively and build a stronger bond between the two of you.

The Effect on Cognitive Development

Improved Communication: Teaching babies sign language has been shown to improve their communication skills and reduce frustration. With the ability to communicate their needs and wants, babies can avoid tantrums and better express themselves.

Increased Vocabulary: Learning sign language can lead to an increase in vocabulary, as babies are able to learn more words and concepts through both spoken and signed language. This can have a positive impact on their overall language development and literacy skills.

Boosted Memory and Cognitive Function: The use of sign language has been linked to improved memory and cognitive function in babies. This is because learning and remembering signs requires the use of visual and spatial reasoning, which can help develop the brain’s neural pathways and improve cognitive abilities.

Enhanced Social Development: Babies who learn sign language are often more socially engaged, as they are able to interact more effectively with others. This can lead to improved social development and emotional intelligence, as well as stronger relationships with caregivers and peers.

Improved Academic Performance: Research suggests that early exposure to sign language can lead to improved academic performance later in life, particularly in areas such as reading and writing. This is likely due to the positive impact on cognitive development and language skills.

The Best Age to Teach Sign Language to Babies

One of the most common questions parents ask when considering teaching sign language to their babies is what age is best to start. The answer is not so straightforward, as different babies may have different abilities and readiness to learn. However, experts generally agree that the ideal age range is from 6 to 8 months.

At this age range, babies have developed sufficient motor skills to begin forming simple gestures and mimicking hand movements. Their cognitive abilities have also progressed to the point where they can associate a sign with its corresponding word.

Starting early can also provide long-term benefits, as it sets a strong foundation for language development and communication skills. By learning sign language early, babies can also develop better speech and reading abilities later in life.

However, it is never too late to start. Even if your baby is already past the recommended age range, you can still teach them sign language and reap the benefits.

Ultimately, the best time to teach sign language is when you and your baby are ready to start. Pay attention to your baby’s cues and interests, and remember that every baby is unique in their learning journey.

Why Teaching Earlier is Better

• Increased retention: Studies show that babies who learn sign language earlier are more likely to retain the information long-term than those who start later.

• Improved language skills: By learning sign language early, babies can develop better communication skills and have an easier time learning spoken language later on.

• Increased parent-baby bond: Learning sign language together can strengthen the bond between parent and baby, as it requires a lot of eye contact, physical touch, and interaction.

• Decreased frustration: By being able to communicate their needs and desires through sign language, babies are less likely to become frustrated and have tantrums.

Overall, teaching sign language to babies as early as possible can have numerous benefits for both the baby and the parent.

Common Signs to Start With

Milk: This is a simple and commonly used sign that your baby can easily learn. Make a fist and then open and close it, mimicking the motion of milking a cow.

More: Your baby might start using this sign early on, as they express their desire for more food or toys. Simply tapping the fingertips of both hands together means “more”.

All done: This sign is an important one for your baby to learn, as they can use it to indicate that they have finished eating or playing. To sign “all done,” simply extend your arms out and then bring them back in towards your body, palms facing up.

Milk, More, All Done, and Please

When starting to teach your baby sign language, it’s important to begin with simple signs that they will use frequently. The following signs are great ones to start with:

1. Milk: This sign is made by forming a “C” shape with one hand and bringing it up to your mouth, as if you are drinking from a cup.
2. More: To make this sign, bring the tips of your fingers together on both hands and tap them together repeatedly.
3. All Done: This sign is made by holding both hands up in front of your body and then turning them over so that the palms face outward.
4. Please: To make the sign for “please,” start with your dominant hand and rub your chest in a circular motion.

With these four signs, your baby can communicate basic needs such as hunger, thirst, and when they are finished eating. Using sign language can make life easier and less frustrating for both you and your little one.

Tips for Successfully Teaching Sign Language

Start Early: The earlier you start teaching sign language, the better. It’s recommended to start around 6-8 months of age, but it’s never too late to start.

Be Consistent: Use signs consistently and in context. Repeat signs often and encourage your baby to imitate you.

Make it Fun: Incorporate signs into everyday activities and playtime. Use toys and songs to make learning fun and engaging for your baby.

Use Simple Signs: Start with simple signs that are easy for your baby to imitate and understand. Once they have mastered these, you can introduce more complex signs.

Be Patient: Learning a new language takes time and practice, so be patient with your baby as they learn. Encourage their efforts and celebrate their progress along the way.

Consistency is Key

• Set a routine: Try to incorporate sign language into your daily routine at specific times, such as meal times, bath time, or bedtime.
• Use signs consistently: Be consistent with the signs you use for specific words, and encourage others who interact with your baby to do the same.
• Repeat often: Repeat signs often and encourage your baby to do the same, so they can learn the association between the sign and the word.
• Make it fun: Use signs in a fun and engaging way, such as through songs, games, or interactive books.
• Be patient: Learning a new language takes time, so be patient and keep encouraging your baby to sign.

Consistency is key when teaching sign language to babies. By setting a routine and using signs consistently, babies will learn to associate the sign with the corresponding word more easily. Repeating signs often and making it fun through games and songs can also help with retention. However, it is important to be patient as learning a new language takes time.

Use Sign Language in Everyday Interactions

If you want your baby to learn sign language, it is important to use it consistently throughout the day. Incorporate signs into your everyday routine, such as signing “more” during meal times or “all done” when your baby finishes eating. When you interact with your baby, use signs to label objects, actions, and feelings. This will help your baby understand the meaning behind the signs and encourage them to use them as well.

Another way to incorporate sign language into your daily routine is by signing during playtime. You can use signs to describe the toys you are playing with, the colors of objects, and the actions you are taking. This will help your baby learn signs in a fun and engaging way.

When you are out and about, try to use sign language as much as possible. For example, you can sign “thank you” when receiving a gift or signing “please” when asking for something. This will help your baby understand that sign language is a natural part of communication and can be used in various situations.

Remember, the key to teaching sign language is consistency. The more you use sign language in your daily interactions with your baby, the more likely they are to learn and use it themselves.

Fun Activities to Incorporate Sign Language into Daily Routine

Teaching sign language to babies and toddlers can be a fun and rewarding experience. Incorporating sign language into daily routines can also make it more engaging for children. Here are some fun activities to try:

Sing and Sign: Singing songs while using sign language can be a great way to engage children. For example, signing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” while singing can help children learn the signs and the songs at the same time.

Sign Language Story Time: Reading stories to children while using sign language can help children learn new signs and improve their comprehension. You can find children’s books that have signs included or make up your own signs as you go along.

Playtime with Sign Language: Incorporating sign language into playtime can be a fun way to engage children. For example, playing games like “I Spy” or “Simon Says” while using sign language can help children learn new signs while having fun.

Sign Language Snacks: Using sign language during snack time can be a great way to teach children signs for common snacks. For example, signing “more” or “please” while giving your child a snack can help them learn these signs in a fun and engaging way.

Sing and Sign Along to Songs

One of the most fun and effective ways to incorporate sign language into your daily routine is to sing and sign along to songs. You can find videos of nursery rhymes and children’s songs with sign language online, or you can make up your own signs to go along with your child’s favorite tunes.

Encourage your child to sign along with the music, and make it a game by asking them to sign certain words or phrases during the song. This can be a great way to reinforce vocabulary and help your child learn new signs in a fun and interactive way.

As you and your child become more comfortable with signing along to songs, you can start to incorporate more complex signs and even create your own songs with sign language.

Frequently Asked Questions