Baby Signs
What is Baby Sign?
Baby sign is a term used to describe the introduction of Sign Language to a pre-verbal infant or toddler. It is also, often the first step for parents learning to sign with a child who may not ever be able to communicate orally.
A small set of signs are usually adopted first, based of common objects and terms, that would be familiar to the child's everyday life. In Australia we adopt these from AUSLAN (which stands for AUStralian Sign LANguage). We use Auslan with infants, even if the intention is not to continue signing after the child begins to articulate as it is our indigenous sign language. It is nationally recognised and used within many childcare centers, amongst family day care centers, and of course by sign dependant Australians. By choosing to learn AUSLAN, even at the Baby Sign level, your child will be able to communicate these signs with our AUSLAN users; which may include a deaf child at their childcare or school later in life.
Where do you start?
Below you will find a list of the most commonly adopted baby signs. Start simple. Select 3-5 signs and introduce them into your daily communication. Then build up from there. Many parents have reported finding household labeling beneficial. Use the images below to create your own labels, or download our pre-made ones SOON.
PRINT/SAVE THESE SIGNS AS A BOOKLET
Move arms as though cradling a baby, back and forth
More InfoMove fists on chest one up, the other down, then back down/up, and back again.
More InfoWith elbows raised, both hands point to chest. Move along chest, outwards then upwards to draw a bib
More InfoTap elbow into palm of other hand twice
More InfoWith hand in fist and thumb extended draw a circle on the back of other hand
More InfoWith both hands cupped, one on the other, move top hand upwards, as though sliding up a bottle
More InfoMain hand is palm up with pointer and index fingers curved upwards. Move this hand towards your other hand, which is slightly cupped as though holding babies head.
More InfoTap breast with pointer and index fingers together. Then move hand into fist with thumb extended, into your other hand which is cupped as though holding babies head.
More InfoShake both fists above shoulders, as though shivering.
More InfoWith both hands flat, facing each other and slightly apart, thumb curved in as through holding the cot bars, move hand down to form two cot bars
More InfoPoint with straight or bent pointer fingers below eyes and move fingers down as if following tears, twice.
More InfoRub spread hands, palms facing, together in a circle.
More InfoWith elbow resting in opposite palm, rotate fist (palm facing you) back and forth, to represent dolls head.
More InfoMove hand up to mouth in a cupped shape, as though holding a cup.
More InfoWith pointer finger and thumb forming a circle, all other fingers extended, move hand to lips.
More InfoMove hand, with thumb touching fingers, towards mouth twice.
More InfoTap extended pointer and index fingers of both hands together twice.
More InfoTilt fist, with thumb raised and pointing upwards, from side to side.
More InfoFirst move hand, palm facing your head and fingers horizontal, upwards. Then bring this hand to chest height against other hand, which is flat fingers upwards, to form the shape of a chair.
More InfoWith palm facing forward and fingers curved forward, move hand forward in an arch.
More InfoStart with flat hand, fingers touching chin and thumb extended. Move hand out turning wrist so that hand ends with palm facing forward a small distance in front of shoulder. Can end lower and in the direction of the hot thing.
More InfoCross hands in front of chest, as though hugging yourself.
More InfoTap hands together twice with fingers and thumb touching.
More InfoAs though milking a cow, start with one hand, fingers spread, and draw first hand down and into a fist. Then follow with other hand. Repeat
More InfoHold hand clawed, palm towards chest. Move hand forward, away from chest slightly.
More InfoWith little finger and thumb folded into palm tap head with fingers. May also be signed with a flat hand.
More InfoTap pointer and index finger to thumb, with both hands, at hips, where nappy would fasten.
More InfoShake fist (palm facing down) at wrist left and right twice.
More InfoWith pointer fingertip and thumb tip touching, all other fingers pointing upwards and palm forward, hand at shoulder height, shake hand left and right 2 or more times.
More InfoWith both hands spread, palms facing upwards, at waist height, move each hand in outwards circles.
More InfoMove both hands, palms up, in a circle at waist height. Then move flat hands, one palm in other out, downwards in front of chest.
More InfoStart with hand flat, fingertips touching chin. Move hand forward while curling fingers into palm.
More InfoWhile other hand points forward at waist, tap pointer fingertip to forehead and then bring downwards to tap against your other pointer finger.
More InfoStarting with hand flat near eye, fingers pointing up, thumb forward. Close fingers to thumb. May be done with one or both hands.
More InfoShake clawed hand, palm facing you, across mouth twice.
More InfoHold flat hand in front of you, fingers upwards, palm out
More InfoWith right hand flat at chest height, palm facing you; slide other hand, palm facing you, down palm and forearm.
More InfoPoint to head with both hands and draw ears
More InfoMove flat hand, fingers upwards and palm towards you, from chin, forward in a slight arc.
More InfoTap the blade of flat hand (palm facing your chest) with pointer finger tip twice.
More InfoStart with hand in fist, palm facing away from you, thumb extended and pointer finger arched over thumb. Draw hand down, twisting palm towards you, and extending little finger and thumb.
More InfoRub fingers of fisted hands together.
More InfoMove fists on chest up, down and up again.
More InfoWith pointer finger pointing upwards, palm forward, shake finger side to side, keeping wrist still.
More InfoWith flat hands in front of you at your sides, palms up, move hands left and right slightly. May be done with one hand.
More InfoTilting at wrist, move fist, palm down, up and down.
More Info