As a parent, you’ve probably heard a lot of advice about how to help your little one learn to communicate. One tip that keeps popping up is teaching some simple sign language for babies. But then comes the doubt: “Will signing stop my child from talking?” It’s a fair question, and you’re not alone in wondering. But spoiler alert, baby sign language doesn’t delay speech. In fact, it might do just the opposite!
Imagine your toddler pointing at something, trying desperately to tell you what they want, but the words just won’t come out. Cue the frustration for both them and you. This is where teaching sign language to babies shines! Teaching your baby a few simple signs like “milk,” “more,” or “help” can give them a way to communicate before their verbal skills catch up. This can help prevent those stressful moments when your little one just doesn’t have the vocabulary to express themselves.
The benefits don’t stop there:
Early language exposure. Signing introduces the concept of language early on, helping kids understand that words, whether spoken or signed, carry meaning. This creates a strong base for speech development in toddlers and written language later in life.
Emotional regulation. Sign language provides a valuable tool for children to communicate their needs and feelings. When kids can express themselves, they feel understood, leading to fewer tantrums. (Yes, please!)
Stronger communication skills. Contrary to popular belief, research actually shows that using baby sign language can help your child develop stronger communication skills.
Cognitive boost. When children sign, they’re learning to associate a gesture with a concept. This enhances cognitive skills by strengthening memory, problem-solving, and the ability to make connections between words and ideas.
Connecting with the world around them. Through signing, kids can label and express experiences before they can speak. For example, signing “dog” when they see one on a walk helps them connect the word to the object, improving their understanding of their surroundings.
Multilingual benefits. For families who speak more than one language at home, sign language can be an amazing tool to bridge those languages. By associating a sign with an object, babies learn that different languages can represent the same thing, making it easier for them to understand multiple languages and switch between them!
The worry that teaching your baby sign language can cause speech delays comes from the assumption that if a child can communicate through signs, they might not feel motivated to start speaking. However, research consistently shows the opposite to be true.
A study in Sign Language Studies found that babies who learned sign language did better on language tests, both in understanding and expressing words, compared to babies who didn’t learn signs. They also had higher IQs by the time they were eight! This shows just how beneficial teaching sign language can be for your child’s communication skills and overall development.
Signing gets their little brains thinking about language and communication early on. Think of it like giving them training wheels for talking. Once they’re ready to “ride solo” with words, they’ll naturally move away from signs and start chatting up a storm.
But that’s not all. A study by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) made a really interesting discovery about baby sign language. Researchers noticed that babies under 18 months in daycare settings used signs to help regulate their emotions. In fact, these little ones used an average of 2.2 different strategies through signing to express and regulate their feelings, compared to just 0.5 strategies with spoken words.
It’s amazing how teaching babies to sign can give babies such a powerful tool to navigate big emotions!
Even with research backing it up, some parents still have concerns about introducing sign language to toddlers. Let’s address the most common ones:
My child is signing more than talking. Should I stop signing?
Absolutely not! If your child is signing more than speaking, that’s totally fine. Baby signing gives them a way to communicate while their verbal skills are still catching up. Keep using the signs, and don’t forget to say the words out loud as you sign. Your little one is learning both!
Does signing replace speech?
Nope! Signing actually complements speech rather than replaces it. Babies and toddlers naturally transition from signing to speaking as their brains develop. Signing provides them with a communication tool while their speech is still developing, and as they start to speak more, they’ll use fewer signs.
What if signing makes them too lazy to talk?
This is a common worry, but kids are anything but lazy learners! Signing actually builds their confidence in communicating, which can motivate them to try out spoken words sooner. Plus, signing makes the connection between gestures and words, so when they do start speaking, they’ll have a solid foundation for understanding language.
Is it too late to start teaching my toddler sign language?
Not at all! While many families start signing in infancy, toddlers can benefit just as much. Teaching sign language to toddlers can be especially helpful during those “language explosion” years when your toddler is learning new words at a rapid pace but still struggles to communicate everything they want to say.
Signing can also act as a bridge when your child’s speech isn’t yet clear enough to understand. For instance, if your toddler says “ba” but you’re unsure whether they mean “ball,” “bath,” or “bottle,” a corresponding sign can clarify what they mean and reduce frustration for both of you. Similarly, it can help you explain what you mean when multiple words sound similar. For example, signing the word “duck” while saying it can prevent confusion with words like “duck” or “truck.”
If your child isn’t talking yet, you may be wondering whether that’s a cause for concern. First, it’s important to remember that every child develops at their own pace. Just because one child starts speaking earlier than another doesn’t mean there’s something wrong.
That said, here are a few milestones to watch for:
At the end of the day, teaching sign language to your little one is one of the best things you can do to support their development. Not only does it give them an effective way to communicate, but it also boosts cognitive and emotional development.
The best part? Signing strengthens the bond between you and your baby. Those moments when your child signs “love you” or “thank you” for the first time are priceless.
Whether it’s “milk” or “more,” each sign is a step toward a more confident communicator. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your little one picks it up.
So go ahead and sign with your little one. You won’t regret it!
Pizer, G., Walters, K., & Meier, R.P. (2007). Bringing Up Baby with Baby Signs: Language Ideologies and Socialization in Hearing Families. Sign Language Studies 7(4), 387-430. https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/sls.2007.0026.
Karsten, A. E., Foster, T. D., Decker, K. B., & Vallotton, C. (2017). Toddlers Take Emotion Regulation Into Their Own Hands With Infant Signs. YC Young Children, 72(1), 38–43. https://www.jstor.org/stable/90001483
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