Cutest Babies
Learning

Baby Sign Language: 35 Words To Teach A Baby in ASL

Cutest Babies

Did you know that babies can learn and communicate with sign language before they can even speak? Baby sign language is a great way to communicate with your little one and can even help with their language development.

In this article, we’ll explore 35 words in sign language for babies and how it can benefit both you and your child. We’ve also included videos for each sign to show you how to do each sign correctly.

What is Baby Sign Language?

Baby or infant sign language is the use of hand gestures to communicate with infants and toddlers. It is based on American Sign Language (ASL) and is used to help babies express their needs before they are able to speak. Babies are able to start learning ASL at just 6-months old. As a result, they will be able to tell you when they are hungry, thirsty, or need changing.

Why Teach Your Baby Sign Language?

Early Communication

Baby signingby Kelly Sikkema (https://unsplash.com/@kellysikkema)

When babies develop, they typically start to communicate through gestures and sounds before they can form words. By providing help in sign language, you are giving your baby the ability to communicate their needs at an earlier age. Babies are obviously unable to use spoken words – that’s where baby signs come in.

Reduced Frustration

Babies often get frustrated when they are unable to verbally communicate their needs. A few basic signs can reduce their frustration and tantrums as they are able to express themselves more effectively. In fact, according to a study conducted by the National Institute of Health (NIH), “sign training may contribute to the prevention of behavior problems for young children at risk.”

Reducing stress, for a parent, should always be a top priority. That is one of the main benefits of sign language.

Enhanced Language Development

Studies have shown that babies who learn sign language have a larger vocabulary and better language skills than those who do not. In fact, learning ASL can help boost a baby’s overall brain development. This is because sign language helps to reinforce the connection between words and their meanings.

Bonding with Your Baby

Sign language for toddlers, babies, and infants is a great bonding experience. It allows for more meaningful interactions and can help you understand your baby’s needs and wants better.

Personal Knowledge

Teaching a baby ASL can also be a great learning experience for mom and dad. Learning sign language for moms is the same as becoming fluent in a new dialect.

34 Words to Teach Your Baby in Sign Language

Hello

The sign for hello in sign language is made by placing the open dominant hand by the forhead and pushing it outwards, almost like a salute.

Goodbye

The sign for goodbye in sign language is made by first touching the chin with the dominant open hand. Then, touch the forehead with the tips of the fingers before bringing it outwards.

Milk

The word Milk in sign language is made by squeezing your fist and then opening it, as if you are milking a cow. This is one of the most common needs for a baby, so this sign can greatly help to reduce frustration for a parent.

More

What is more in sign language? The sign for more is made by taking all five fingers on each hand and bringing them together. Then, tap your fingertips together repeatedly.

If your baby is still hungry, thirsty, etc., this is a sign that can come in handy. It will sometimes look like a clap, because babies have a hard time drawing their fingers together. This is because babies lack motor skills.

Hungry

Hungry in sign language is starts by making a “C” shape with your dominant hand. Then, place the hand by the throat, and move it down towards the stomach. Imagine food is going down your throat when making the sign for hungry.

Eat

The sign for eat is made by making a flat “O” hand-shape, and bringing that towards the mouth a single time. Eat in sign language is a great sign to learn when a baby is starting to consume solid foods.

This sign is typically used interchangeably with the sign for food, which is the same sign with two motions towards the mouth.

Water

The sign for water is made by making a “W” with the dominant hand (point, middle, and ring finger up in the air. Then bring the hand towards the mouth. Babies have a hard time making this motion with their hand, so it may look like they are pointing or yawning.

Drink

The sign for drink is made by bringing your fingers to your mouth, as if you are drinking from a cup. Drink in sign language can be helpful when your baby is feeling dehydrated and wants something to drink.

Sleep

The sign for sleep is made by taking the dominant hand and placing it open in from of the face. Then close your hand. You can close your eyes and nod your head for an added effect.

Sleep in ASL is a great word for your baby to use if they are sleepy. Otherwise, the only thing they are able to do is cry.

Diaper

The sign for diaper is made by tapping the fingertips together on your hip. This can be used when your baby needs a diaper change. The quicker you can resolve a dirty diaper, the lower your babies stress levels will be.

Bath

The sign for bath is made by making fists with both hands, thumbs up, and moving them in an up and down motion. Imagine your are scrubbing your body while making this sign. While your baby may not signal to your that they want a bath, it’s a great way to let your baby know what time it is.

Book

The sign for book is made by opening and closing your hands, as if you are opening and closing a book. If your baby or toddler likes to be read to before bed, this can help them let you know.

Play

Share

Sign language for share requires the movement of the open non-dominant hand over the stationary dominant hand. A great gesture to learn if you are teaching your child to be kind and share their belongings.

Thank You

The sign for thank you is made by bringing the hand towards thr chin and then moving it forward. Teaching a baby thank you can help to instill the concepts of manners and gratitude at an earlier age.

Please

What is please in sign language? The sign for please is made by rubbing the chest in a circular motion with an open hand. Please in sign language is very easy and is one of the first words a baby should learn.

Help

To say help in sign language, first make “thumbs up” gesture with the dominant hand. Then tap your fist on your open non-dominant hand. If your baby needs help, sign language for help me will alert you.

Play

The sign for play in ASL for babies is made by making a “hang loose” sign with both hands (fist with thumb and pinky out) and turning each hand back and forth. If your baby likes to play and play often, they will use this sign to tell you.

Happy

In American Sign Language (ASL), the sign for “happy” is made by starting with both hands in a relaxed, open position. Then, bring both hands up to your chest level and wave them and down like so: 

Sad

To make the sign for sad, start by bringing the dominant hand to the forehead. Then, move it down in a downward motion, as if wiping away tears. This sign can be the first step to diagnosing problems with a baby.

All Done

The sign for all done starts with both hands open and up towards the shoulders. Then, turn the hands outwards once. When your child is finished with a meal or going potty, they can signal that they are finished by using ASL for “all done.”.

Mommy

The sign for mommy is made by making an open hand and tapping the thumb on the chin. This is a great word to teach your baby to identify their mother.

Daddy

The sign for mommy is made by making an open hand and tapping the thumb on the forehead. This is a great word to teach your baby to identify their father.

Grandma

The sign for grandma is made making an open hand, tapping the thumb on the chin, and bringing it outwards in two arches. It is similar to the word “mommy,” with an added motion that signifies more distance in relation.

Grandpa

The sign for grandma is made making an open hand, tapping the thumb on the forehead, and bringing it outwards in two arches. It is similar to the word “mommy,” with an added motion that signifies more distance in relation.

Dog

The sign for dog is made by patting the thigh with the dominant hand in a downward motion. It ends with the snapping of the fingers. If you have a dog in the home, it’s a great way for a baby to identify it.

Cat

The sign for cat is made placing an open hand by the face, and then pinching outwards twice. Imagine your are stroking your whiskers. If you have a cat, this word is essential for your baby to learn.

Bird

The sign for bird is made by placing the closed hand by the mouth facing outwards. Then, close the index finger and thumb together in a pinching motion twice.

Fish

The sign for fish is made by making an open hand and making a waving motion in front of the chest. This mimics the motion of a fish swimming. Learning words like dog, cat, bird, and fish can help a baby start to familiarize themselves with the world.

Ball

The sign for ball is made by placing the open hands by the sides in a claw shape, is if holding two balls. Then, bring them together in front of the face as if catching a ball. Words like ball combined with words like play can help a baby start to form sentences.

Car

The sign for car is made by holding both hands up in a fist motion and moving them back and forth as if turning a steering wheel.

Airplane

The sign for airplane starts by making the “I love you” sign (make a fist, put the thumb, index, and pinky finger up.) Then, push the hand upward as if it is taking off.

Love

The sign for love is made by crossing both arms and bringing them towards the chest, as if giving a hug.

Poop

The sign for poop is in sign language or ASL is made by grabbing the thumb with the right hand and pulling it out downwards.

Yes

The sign for yes in sign language or ASL is made by making a closed fist with the dominant hand, holding it towards the chest, and shake it up and down.

No

The sign for no in sign language or ASL is made by taking the pointer and middle fingers, along with the thumb, and closing them together.

Alphabet in Sign Language

The letters of the alphabet in sign language are also a great thing to learn for a growing child. Since children can sign before they can speak, learning the alphabet can be very beneficial. It can allow them to begin their educational development even earlier, gaining familiarity with grammar and spelling. It’s too long to cover here, but we’ve included a video on the alphabet in ASL if you are interested.

More Resources for Baby ASL

Conclusion

Teaching your baby sign language is a fun and beneficial way to communicate with them. The benefits of baby sign language are endless, and the downsides are virtually nonexistent.

Even if your child is older, toddler sign language is still worth it. As your child gets older, they will inevitably meet others who are deaf for have an auditory disability. Allowing your child to learn ASL will allow them to share in sign language what they would otherwise have trouble communicating. This will no doubt help them be a more inclusive, understanding, and well-rounded individual.

For more information on sign language, check out our article on how to teach baby sign language. We go over the basics as well as the benefits.

Cutest Babies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.