WHAT IS BABY SIGNING?

Long before babies can say their first words, they are already busy learning to communicate.

They use eye contact, facial expressions, gestures and sounds to tell us what they need and what has caught their attention. Signing simply gives them another tool they can use as their communication develops.

At Happy Little Signers, I teach BSL-based keyword signing. This means I take key signs from British Sign Language (BSL) and use them alongside normal spoken English.

You don't need to sign every word in a sentence. Instead, I teach you to focus on the important words.

For example, while saying “Would you like some more milk?” you might sign MORE and MILK.

Your baby hears the spoken word at the same time as seeing a clear visual sign, giving them two ways to receive that piece of communication.

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Why use signs with babies and toddlers?

There can be quite a gap between a young child beginning to understand what people are saying and developing the speech skills needed to respond with words of their own.

Gestures are already a natural part of early communication. Think about a baby reaching up to be picked up, pointing at something interesting or learning to wave goodbye.

Keyword signing builds on this natural use of gesture by giving children consistent signs that you can understand too.

Over time, some children begin to use signs themselves to communicate things they notice, want or need. A child might sign MORE during snack time, BIRD when they spot one outside or FINISHED when they've had enough.

And when spoken words begin to arrive, you simply continue saying the word alongside the sign.

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Will signing delay my child's speech?

This is one of the questions I'm asked most often.

Signing does not replace talking.

In my classes, spoken language is always used alongside signs. Your child continues to hear words, sentences, songs and conversation just as they normally would.

Signing simply provides an additional visual cue alongside that spoken language.

You also don't need to stop signing as soon as your child starts talking. Signs and spoken words can happily exist alongside one another, and children will naturally rely less on particular signs when they no longer need them.

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Why does Happy Little Signers use BSL?

The signs I teach are based on British Sign Language (BSL) rather than invented baby gestures.

BSL is a rich, established visual language used by the Deaf community in the UK. While keyword signing alongside spoken English is not the same as using full BSL, using BSL signs means the vocabulary you and your child learn has meaning beyond the baby and toddler years.

I introduce signs covering everyday routines and the things young children love to communicate about, from food, family and feelings to animals, vehicles, colours, weather and much more.

You don't need any previous signing experience to get started.

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You don't have to remember everything

One of the loveliest things about signing with your child is that it can become part of everyday life.

You don't need to learn hundreds of signs overnight or turn every conversation into a signing exercise.

Start with a few signs that are useful to your family. Use MILK when offering a feed. Sign MORE when asking if they'd like another piece of banana. Use DUCK when you spot one at the park.

The more naturally you use a sign alongside the word, the more opportunities your child has to see it in context.

And don't worry if you leave class having forgotten half of what I've covered! Repetition is built into Happy Little Signers, and you'll also have access to resources to help you continue practising between classes.

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Communication is about connection

Signing isn't about trying to make your baby speak sooner or turning communication into another milestone they need to achieve. Every child develops differently.

For me, signing is about giving you another way to communicate, connect and understand one another during an incredible period of your child's development.

Sometimes the first sign back is something practical like MILK or MORE.

Sometimes it's something completely unexpected that they've spotted across the room.

Either way, there is something pretty special about the first time your little one deliberately tells you something with their hands and you realise:

I know exactly what you're telling me.