Using Signs With Baby E

Before Baby E was born, my husband and I discussed what we wanted to accomplish at each stage of her first year. We knew that ample communication between parents/caregivers and children took place before a child’s first spoken words so deciding upon a way to communicate before the verbal stages was an important way to relieve frustration on both sides. Plus, our efforts would reinforce our use of patience, adaptation, and a commitment to understanding her wants and needs. We also expected our efforts to impact our bond with our baby because when she could communicate, it would allow us to be more responsive to her needs.

Deciding to Sign

Because of my background of taking ASL classes for several years in high school and college, and using that knowledge in my first job, I knew I wanted to integrate the language into our home. My husband agreed; he loves discovering the eclectic array of signs, and it currently serves as a communication method for us that brings us joy. It was an easy decision for us to use signs from ASL with our daughter.

Getting Starting

We decided it would be developmentally appropriate to begin Baby E’s introduction to sign when she was three months old. We started with something simple: signing milk before she fed. Nevertheless, she did not understand what we were trying to accomplish, for in her perspective, the signing stood as a delay in obtaining her desired meal. But, at each feeding in our rocking chair, we would manually open and close her precious hands while vocally repeating “milk.” This practice and dedication to signing milk before she fed helped her to form a relationship between her milk and the sign.

Asking for Milk

The first time Baby E signed “milk,” she was propped up in her baby swing. At first, we were hesitant to believe she could sign at five months, but seeing her sign, we gave her a bottle. When she scarfed it down, the absolute delight, rush of endorphins, and feelings of accomplishment from all three of us filled the room. Delighted with this result, my husband and I decided to continue her language acquisition in the form of signs.

Communicating

Now 15 months old, Baby E has embraced sign language as an integral part of her daily life. Her ability to sign has transformed not just her means of communication but also her relationship with us as her parents. Every time she signs for “more,” “food,” “finished,” “milk,” or “please,” she is not merely requesting; she is expressing her wishes, sentiments, and needs with increasing confidence. 

Bonding With Signs

Engaging with sign language has also given us a window into her cognitive development. Baby E’s capacity to remember and utilize signs demonstrates her growing understanding of symbols and concepts while laying a solid foundation for future language acquisition. Her ability to communicate with signs has empowered her to advocate for herself while reducing frustration and promoting independence. It has also proven to be a remarkable bonding experience for our family.

Experts say …

Gala, A. S. (2023, October 7). Deaf culture: What is it, history, aspects, Examples & Facts. Hand Talk – Learn ASL today. https://www.handtalk.me/en/blog/deaf-culture/

---

Gariépy, J.-L., Bailey, D. B., & Holochwost, S. J. (2020). Critical periods. Encyclopedia of Infant and Early Childhood Development, 347–357.

---

Jantzen, T. (2011, November 10). The Power of Sign: Enhancing Oral Communication with Young Children with Typical Hearing. Southern Illinois University.

---

Rymanowicz, K. and Cox, F., M. S. U. E. (2023, February 23). Baby sign language: A helpful communication tool. Child & Family Development.

---

PBS (2017). Wkar family: Infant signs impact: WKAR. WKAR Video.

---

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). American sign language. National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.

https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/american-sign-language