Sign Language for Infants

Step 3 - Start Talking

Are you ready to start signing? This is so exciting!

It's now time to choose the signs you are going to start with. Go ahead and choose a small handful of signs below (be sure to include not only need-based signs but sign that will excite your baby as well):

An important thing to remember is to say the word while you sign it to your baby. Think of signing as emphasizing your words when you are speaking to your baby. Don't forget to sign directly before, during, or after an activity!

Things to remember:

• Be Excited
  Don't be bored while signing to your baby, or she will never be excited about it!
• Be Different
  Don't just sign with your baby at home. Sign at the store, at grandma's, at the doctor's office, everywhere! Signing with your baby works the best when it becomes part of your life, not just something you do sometimes.
• Be Praiseful
  Act happy and excited when your baby signs correctly. Make sure she knows how wonderful they are.
• Be Patient
  It takes some babies weeks or even months to make their first sign. Don't get discouraged, just keep signing and being consistent. Your baby will get on track.

What Happens Now?

Well, you've learned twenty signs already! Great!

You are now able to pick and choose which signs you will use based on what your baby needs and what excites him or her.

By this point, maybe you have started signing with your baby and are realizing how easy it really is.

In the next steps, I will cover more advanced topics like what you should do about your baby signing when he is away from you as well as give you a lot more words to learn!

Move on to Step 4 - When Things Don't Go the Way You Planned...

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