The baby sign language dictionary includes over 600 common signs. Start with the Top 10 Starter Signs, then expand following baby’s interest. For each word, there is a video, diagram, and teaching notes to make learning new signs easy.
For babies just beginning their signing journey, start with the top ten starter baby signs. From there, follow your baby’s interests to find new words that baby is motivated to learn. To help you teach words that you don’t encounter a lot in real life you can print out the baby sign language flash cards.
For signs that are not included in the dictionary, post a comment telling us the signs you want and we will try to add them during our next round of revisions. In the meantime, you can either:
- Substitute – substitute a word close in meaning. For example, many people use the word up, instead of carry me.
- Improvise – create your own signs using a memorable gesture. In the signing community, these improvised signs are called home signs. Just be sure to keep a record of your improvised signs, they are easy to forget!
- ASL Dictionary – you can find nearly any sign your heart desires in one of these full ASL dictionaries. Lifeprint, Handspeak, or ASL Pro.
If you found this information useful, check out our award winning baby sign language kits. The kits make teaching Baby Sign Language faster and easier. Baby can learn signs while being entertained by the Signing Time DVDs, or learn new signs with the Sign Language Flash Cards.
The Baby Sign Language Kits include everything you need to get started with signing, at a steep discount. The Deluxe Kit includes: (1) Signing Time DVD, (2) Baby Sign Language Guide Book; (3) Baby Sign Language Dictionary: (4) Baby Sign Language Flash Cards; and (5) Baby Sign Language Wall Chart.
Baby Sign Language Guide Book shows you how to teach your child how to sign. The book begins with a Quick Start Guide that will teach you your first signs and having you ready to sign in 30 minutes. As your baby progresses, you can delve into more advanced topics like combining signs to make phrases, using props, and transitioning to speech. (Regularly $19.95)
Baby Sign Language Dictionary contains over 600 signs including the most common words, the alphabet and numbers. The dictionary helps you expand your child’s vocabulary, and has the breadth of coverage that lets you follow any child’s natural interests. Each sign is illustrated with two or more diagrams, showing you the starting position, the ending position, and intermediate motion. This makes learning new signs easy. (Regularly $19.95)
Baby Sign Language Flash Cards include 52 sturdy board (4×6 inches) flash cards, covering a variety of basic signs. The flash cards allow you to teach words, such as animal names, that Baby is not exposed to in everyday life. The face of the flash cards shows the word and image for the child. The back of the flash cards show how the sign is performed, a handy reminder for the adult. (Regularly $24.95)
Baby Sign Language Wall Chart includes 22 basic signs, and makes a handy reminder for caregivers. The Baby Sign Language Wall Chart covers basic signs, like eat, drink, and sleep. Hang the poster in Baby’s Nursery to help babysitters, or other occasional caregivers learn and decode the most commonly used baby signs. (Regularly $9.95)
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Baby Sign Language Guide Book
Learn the best techniques for effectively teaching baby sign language. Including:
• Quick Start Guide – learn the first 10 signs and the basic principles required to start teaching your baby to sign (Chapter 1).
• Advanced Teaching Methods – use teaching aids like books, flash cards, and toys to keep lessons interesting and challenging (Chapter 5).
• Phrases – teach your baby to combine signs and communicate more complex thoughts (Chapter 6).
• Taming the Terrible Twos – reduce frustration and tantrums by enabling your toddler to communicate (Chapter 7).
• Transitioning to Speech – use sign language to expedite and improve speech development (Chapter 8).
Sarah learned her first 10 signs at six month and it made our lives much easier. Instead of screaming, she could tell us when she was hungry, thirsty, or tired. She learned another 50 signs by nine months and that was a blast. Now she is talking much earlier than the other children in her preschool and we think it is because of her signing.
We can’t imagine missing out on all the little things she shared with baby sign language. Thank You!
– Bennett & Melissa Z., CA
Pediatrician Approved
“It’s easy to see why so many parents swear by it, why child care centers include it in their infant and toddler classrooms, and why it has become so commonplace as an activity of daily learning … we approve.”
Heading Home With Your Newborn (Second Edition)
Dr. Laura A. Jana MD FAAP & Dr .Jennifer Shu MD FAAP
American Academy of Pediatricians
Baby Sign Language Flash Cards
52 high quality flash cards (4 x 6″). Featuring:
• Clean Images – real life pictures, isolated on a white background to make learning easier.
• Signs on the Rear – diagrams on the back illustrating the signign motion in case you need a reminder.
• Baby Friendly – printed on thick stock so little hands can play with the cards and they will live to play another day.
I was thrilled to see how easy the signs were for Abigail (3) and Eden (21 months). Much to my surprise they could figure out many of the signs from the flashcards on their own.
– Carrie P., TX
Study: Signing Enriches
“The Sign Training group told us over and over again … [signing] made communication easier and interactions more positive.”
“these data demonstrate clearly that … [signing] … seems to “jump start” verbal development”
“can facilitate and enrich interactions between parent and child”
Impact of Symbolic Gesturing on Early Language Development
Dr. Susan Goodwyn, Dr. Linda Acredolo, & Dr. Catherine Brown
Journal of Nonverbal Behavior
Baby Sign Language Dictionary
The Baby Sign Language Dictionary includes :
• Words (500+) – learn signs for nearly every topic of interest.
• Letters – sign the alphabet and teach basic spelling.
• Numbers (0-10) – introduce counting and basic mathematics.
Nicholas loves his signs and it lights up our lives every time he shares one of his little secrets. He is so observant, and we would miss it all without the signs.
– Donald Family, NY
Baby Sign Language Wall Chart
The full color wall chart (24 x 36″) includes 17 everyday signs. Use the wall chart for:
• Caregivers – help babysitters and other caregivers learn the basic signs so they can understand baby’s signs.
• Family – teach family the basic signs so they can join in the fun.
Everyone thought I was nuts when I started. A month later, all my friends saw Michelle’s first signs. Then they wanted to know how they could start.
Michelle is talking now and doesn’t sign much anymore, but it gave her a headstart over other children her age. Everyone says she talks like a three year old. Now she is helping me teach her baby brother Jordan how to sign.
– Adelaide S., CA
Study: Better in School
A group of second graders who signed as infants, performed better academically than a control group six years later. The signers had a 12 IQ point advantage.
Longterm Impact of Symbolic Gesturing During Infancy at Age 8
Dr. Linda P. Acredolo (Professor, U.C. Davis)
Dr. Susan W. Goodwyn (Professor, California State University)
100% No Regret Guarantee
Your baby loves signing, or a full refund.
As you can tell, we love Baby Sign Language. It transformed the way we interacted with our children, and we want every family to have the opportunity. Baby Sign Language will make a difference for your child. Give it a try.
If for any reason you aren’t completely blown away, we will cheerfully give you a complete refund, including standard shipping. No time limit. We are that confident!
I am a grandparent who would like to learn to sign in order to communicate with an expected grandchild. What materials would you recommend?
ADMIN – Hi Paula,
I think your best option is the Standard Kit.
I believe my daughter has signed to her mum and I. She used her first finger after her thumb to point to the centre of her palm of her hand. Can anyone tell me what it is? Hopefully it’s not rude.
ADMIN – Hi Stuart,
Here is the video for the sign
https://www.babysignlanguage.com/dictionary/m/mommy/
It is very interesting to learn baby’s signs languages. I would love to study more on this interesting subject to make me a good teacher to our two months old boy and a two and half years old baby girl.
Hi! Just wondering what the baby sign is for “rooster”?
Thank you!
ADMIN – Hi Lindsay,
Tap your forehead twice with the tip of the thumb of your “three hand.” chicken sign
I have your website as a shortcut on my iPhone for quick reference, and have recommended it to my granddaughter’s pre K teacher. My granddaughter has auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder, and therefore delayed speech development. Her family and teachers have been using sign with her for two years, and it has improved her speech (along with speech therapy). Your website has been invaluable to us and helps us communicate with her on a daily basis. Thank you for the excellent teaching video clips! ❤️
Can you add more signs for body parts? Just the basics – what you might talk about during a bath, like arm, leg, back, belly…
ADMIN – Hi Cary,
Body parts are signed by pointing to it.
Got signs for:
Rhino
Carrot?
Thanks!
Kelly
ADMIN – HI Kelly,
I don’t but I have added your requests to the list.
I have a 3 year old who will not speak or even try to sign. Can someone please tell me how to get him to sign?
ADMIN – Hi Kimberly,
Please reach out to a speech therapist and development specialist for an assessment.
how about an app for the poor people that have no money to learn sign language thank you
ADMIN – Hi Jesus,
All of our resources are available in digital format for free. Each flash card has a link to a video that you can enjoy after printing your resource.
I am beginning at 58 years old what is the sign for God if you don’t mind.
Jesus.
ADMIN – Hi Jesus,
Our website is for baby sign language. Google ASL to find resources for adults. You will find them far more enjoyable.
Mey
My almost 11 month old loves to eat black olives. I want him to sign “olive” to tell me that is what he would like to eat. Everywhere I have looked shows that you finger spell olive. Do you have a suggestion for a shorter/simpler sign?
ADMIN – Hi Jana,
Why not create your own sign. For example you can have baby close one fist and mark the cavity of the olive by pointing to the top of the fist and then sign the color black.
Do you know if you will be coming out with an app. I use your word list ALL the time!!! An app would be an amazing addition to your product line!!! That’s 1 app I wouldn’t mind paying for! ;-)
ADMIN – Hi Katherine,
No plans for an App. Unfortunately we have tried it in Beta and there is no demand for it.
In noticing the comment requesting sign for lady-bird, Americans would typically call it a ladybug. I don’t know the sign but I’m sure you can find it that way. :)
ADMIN – Hi Sher,
I fully forgot about that. Start with your dominant hand with fist closed and thumb up and make a circle in front of your face. Close the circle by moving your index and middle finger in a quotation motion.
What would be the sign fo “lady-bird”, please?
ADMIN – Hi Ryte,
Lady-bird as in female bird or as in first lady?
Hi I’m wondering if your DVDs will play in my region? I’m in Australia and the resources for baby signing are limited. Thanks
ADMIN – Hi Jessica,
Per the reports we have received from other customers the videos play globally.