Question: When is the best time to start signing with my baby?
Answer: Anytime that you are ready is the best time! I have noticed that most babies in our classes are between 4 and 10 months of age when they
start. Over the last few years, the average age of the babies in our
Signing Babies has gotten slightly younger.
When you are looking at a babies receptive (understanding) abilities, keep in mind that parents who are Deaf start signing with their babies from the day they are born and their ability to understand at 9 months is amazing versus babies who are not signed to...an understanding of 70 signs vs. maybe 5 verbal words. Regarding expressive abilities, babies, in general, will typically start signing back between 9 and 12 months (born to Deaf parents or not). We've have had a few stories of babies signing back earlier. All babies are different!
I started signing with my own children when they were 6 months of age. Knowing what I know now, I would have started earlier with both my wee ones. That said, Joshua signed back at 9 months (fish) and Sabrina signed back at 11 months (no, more, eat - not all at the same time, but within the same week!).
I've found with both my children the most amazing experiences with sign occurred during the second year of life - when both of my wee ones were very mobile, active and inquisitive. What a wonderful world there is too explore at this age! Signing allows you to share so much more of the world with your baby.
Sara Bingham is mom to two children, Joshua age 6 and Sabrina age 4. She is also the founder of WeeHands. Since 2001, WeeHands has taught over 5000 families and caregivers to sign with their wee ones. WeeHands, one of the Canada's first baby sign language companies, offers classes across North America.
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