How To Sign With Your Baby

Once you’ve decided that you want to sign with your baby, the best thing to do is just get started! There is no time like the present, so take these tips and get going:

• Sign and speak

  You should always say a word along side the sign. By saying the word out loud you will help your baby make the connection between the sign and the words you are saying.

• Be consistent

  Repetition is key to learning anything, and signing is no different. By consistently using the same signs you are more likely to see your baby start to imitate them.

• Follow your babies lead

  If they are interested in something they are more likely to learn the signs for it, so let them take the lead. If they’re interested in farm animals then start with those signs. If vehicles are more their thing then start there. There are no strict rules on which signs you must learn and in what order.

• Accept any signing attempts

  When your baby first attempts to sign it most likely will only be a vague approximation of the “real” sign. Praise the attempt and sign it back correctly. There is no need to tell them it was wrong, just repeat it correctly and move on.

• Know when to stop

  There is no need to force signing on to your baby. If they don’t seem in the mood or are getting annoyed or frustrated then just stop and move on, there is plenty time to try again later.

When Should You Start Baby Sign?

Babies usually start to make their first sign between 6-10 months old, but you can start signing with them at any age. Signs such as “milk” and “again” or “more” can be really useful with young babies, and the more they see you using them the earlier they will understand what they mean.

How Can Koala Sign Help?

Koala Sign is designed to help you learn the basics of baby sign at home, and then expand your signing vocabulary as your baby grows. Grab a drink and a moments peace to look at a lesson while your baby naps.

Each lesson is designed around a theme or topic, and comes with a short video of each sign so you can see it in action.

You can work through the lessons at your own pace, only progressing when you feel you are ready. There are tips for songs, rhymes and books you can use the signs in, helping both you and your baby get lots of practice.

Once you have completed a lesson you can expand on your signing vocabulary by moving on to the next one. Don’t worry if you forget a sign, you can go back and access them at any time to revisit them. If you can’t find a particular sign within the lessons then you can search the sign database.