It’s never too early or too late to begin sign language with your child. For infants, you can begin anywhere from six to ten months of age. It will take a younger child longer to produce the signs than an older child, but exposing them to sign language early on is great way to help them understand the signs receptively before they do expressively. Recent studies indicate that by using signs in tandem with spoken language, parents can start the process of two-way communication with their babies as early as eight months and enhance the verbal language development of their babies in the process.


It may seem that very young children can’t take in what you’re saying, but in important ways they do. Infants don’t yet grasp the meaning of words, but it is through these early “conversations” that language capacity grows. When babies hear you say words or watch you sign with your hands over and over, the parts of the brain that handle speech and language develop.

As children grown they become capable of even more exploration, discovery, and experimentation. In the process, they often experience more confusion and frustration. At times, their feelings can become very intense. Signing helps children attach “words” to their feelings. They often know what they want but they are unable to communicate it because verbal language skills come later than motor skills like movement and gestures.

You only need to learn a handful of basic signs to begin with and can learn additional signs as you and your child are ready. There are many wonderful resources available to help you learn. You can check out books from the library and read with your child, add simple signs to songs you already sing or sign up for an interactive signing class like the one we have here at the museum.

---

Interested in learning sign language? Check out Little Signs for Little Hands, a KidsQuest early learning class for ages 6 months-3 years.