Understanding the importance and value of baby sign language
Signing with your baby opens up a world of communication months before they can speak. This early dialogue strengthens your bond, reduces frustration, and supports healthy development for both baby and parents.
Babies understand language much earlier than they can produce it. From around 6-8 months, they can understand what you're saying, but their vocal cords and mouth muscles won't be developed enough for clear speech until they're around 12-18 months old - or even later.
This creates a frustrating gap where your baby knows what they want to tell you but can't. Imagine understanding everything being said to you but being unable to respond - that's what pre-verbal babies experience every day!
The wonderful news is that babies develop the motor skills needed for simple hand gestures much earlier than speech. This means they can learn to sign months before they can talk, giving them a way to communicate during this crucial period.
Babies understand words from 6-8 months but can't speak them until 12-18 months.
Hand coordination develops earlier, allowing babies to sign from 8-10 months.
Signing gives babies 4-10 months of additional communication time!
The number one reason parents love baby signing is the dramatic reduction in tantrums and crying. When your baby can tell you they're hungry, tired, or want their favorite toy, guessing games become a thing of the past. Parents report feeling less stressed and more confident in their parenting.
Baby signing creates precious moments of connection. The eye contact, focus, and interaction required for signing deepens the parent-child bond. There's something magical about the first time your baby signs back to you - many parents say it's as special as hearing their first word.
Signing babies can tell you about things they've seen, heard, or experienced. Imagine your 10-month-old telling you about the dog they saw at the park, or asking for their favorite song. These insights into your baby's thoughts and interests are priceless.
Contrary to myths, baby signing doesn't delay speech - it supports it! Research consistently shows that signing babies often speak earlier and have larger vocabularies. Signing teaches babies that communication is a two-way process and builds their confidence in expressing themselves.
Baby sign language isn't just for certain children - it benefits all babies:
"Before we started signing, I felt like I was constantly guessing what my daughter needed. Was she tired? Hungry? In pain? Now she can tell me! Seeing her sign 'milk' when she's hungry or 'hurt' when she's bumped herself has made me feel so much more confident as a mum. Plus, the bond we've developed through signing is incredible." - Emma, mother of 14-month-old Lily
At Tiny Signers, we use authentic British Sign Language (BSL) signs rather than made-up gestures. Here's why:
You can start signing from birth! While babies typically begin signing back between 8-14 months, starting early means:
The key is consistency - the earlier you start, the more natural it becomes for your whole family.
Explore more about the benefits of baby signing on our Benefits page, or read our FAQ for answers to common questions.