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)
100% Money Back Guarantee
No questions. No time limits. No regrets.
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!
Hi, I’m from Italy; do you have any sign for pain, or ache? Or similar as headache, stomachache, etc.?
Thank you!
ADMIN – Hi Lorenzo,
Look for the word hurt in our dictionary
Hi,
Communication with our 15 months old is amazing thanks to your kit. We already know all the flash cards which she loves. Using the dictionary is tricky though as she just wants to rip the pages off. If you could send a weekly email with new signs, that would be awesome and helpful to continue our journey.
Cheers
ADMIN – Hi Cecile,
Follow us on Facebook, I try to share tips and tricks with frequency as well as publish new signs.
do you have a sign for veteran or soldier?
ADMIN – Hi Stacie,
I don’t. I am sorry
Can You get this on your iPhone as an app there are so many but I can’t find an app for you and I like your information
ADMIN – Hi Grandma,
Thanks for the feedback. We will take it into account as we plan for the future.
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.
Are these American Sign Language or makaton signs. We are in Australia and would love signs that could be used with the deaf community here too
ADMIN – Hi Eboney,
Our program is based on American Sign Language with some modifications in order to make it simple for limited fine motor skills.
Can you add the sign mine?
ADMIN – Hi Bridget,
We have added your request to our queue. Signs are created as resources permit. If you wish to accelerate your request you can contact me at [email protected]
What about “Good Job”, or “Naughty”, also can “Behave” be used the same as “Behavior”?
ADMIN – Hi Rao,
Thanks for your suggestions. We will add them to our development queue.
i really enjoy your site and have been using many signs with my 11 month old daughter.
i was wondering if there is a sign for “babywearing”? a sign which would mean baby is going “up into the carrier”? (but something more specific than “up”)
ADMIN – Hi Beth,
For babywearing (something like a Baby Bjorn, or a SleepyWrap), I would use up and then hug.
I would like to become a instructor i’ve been learning a lot with signing time !!
ADMIN-Hi Addie,
To become an instructor please contact us at [email protected]
Do you have an app for the dictionary? I find that I use my phone a lot to look up
the signs. Just curious. But it is a great website. :-)
ADMIN – Hi Michelle,
We currently don’t have an app. We are delighted you are enjoying the free resources.
I was wondering what the sign for iPad would be? trying to have nonverbal child to ask for things..thanks!
ADMIN – Hi Sarah
We like to use a sign in which the non-dominant hand becomes the pad and you swipe a finger from the dominant hand on the palm of the non-dominant hand.
Ever since hearing about baby signing I wanted to try it once I have children. Now finally after 4 months I have my first sign back! I hope the others will follow :)
One question I have: very often my little girl is repeatedly touching her index finger to the palm of the other hand. Could that be a sign she picked up in daycare, or is it just a failed attempt at clapping?
ADMIN – Hi Kasia,
That is great to hear … what an amazing feeling! (For the benefit of our other readers, it is worth noting that this is extremely young and not at all typical)
Ask her teachers, but my guess is that it is most likely just something she likes doing. That doesn’t sound like any of the beginner signs that she is likely to have learned in school.
Our son is 20 months old and does not say many words so we are working with him on some baby sign language and it seems to be helping us communicate with him. I have a daughter who is 15 and we are trying to get our son to say “sissy” or her name, Hope, but to no avail on either. What is the sign for “Hope”?
Having/knowing this will help my daughter to communicate with her brother directly and in such a way that they will both know that they are talking about/to her directly.
ADMIN,
Hi Charity, the sign for “Hope” is quite complex and difficult to modify for the limited motor skills of a little one. You may want to consider teaching him to sign for sister
Hi, I’d like to teach my daughter how to sign. She is 14 months old. I was wondering what’s the best way to begin? Only start teaching one sign at a time? One per week, month? Thanks so much ;)
ADMIN: I encourage you to take our baby sign language class where you can learn all about the best methods to teach baby
Babies are born readily making associations. It doesn’t take 6 months for them to begin understanding the signs. I’m a CODA and signed with my babies from birth and they all could understand a few signs within those first few months, especially MILK!
My son is 2 months old is it to early to start signing? Or is it better to start the earlier the better?
ADMIN – Hi Julie,
Starting earlier is always better, but you have to be prepared to be more patient to see results. For example, if you started at 2 months, you might have to wait 6 months to see results. While if you started at 9 months, you might see results in 1-2 months.
Deaf families often start at birth, signing to their babies in the same way the hearing community talks to their children, and the deaf community routinely sees very early signing (around 6 months old).
What does putting one’s two index fingers together (and bumping the tips together) mean? Thanks!
ADMIN – Hi Danusia,
It could be an approximation of more or hurt. You child’s teachers (or whomever taught them the sign) will be able to help you decode it.
Can you please add the word bored? I cant find it..thank you
ADMIN – Hi Yasmine,
Bored is signed by twisting your index finger by the side of your nose.
What is the sign for “ouch,” “ouwie,” “hurts,” “booboo,” or “pain?” Thanks, Sarah
ADMIN – Hi Sarah,
To sign hurt, you take your two pointer fingers and touch them together. To indicate the place where it hurts, you make the sign over that spot.
What is the sign for Pacifier? Or “Binkie?” Thank you!
Sarah
ADMIN – Hi Sarah,
We just added the sign. You can find it in the dictionary.
This is such a wonderful site! When I first heard of baby sign language, I could not believe it! Now, this is something I think is very useful, even more so now that I know it is the same signs as ASL!
Hi, I am new this concept, it is not done in India. But, I want to purchase your kit and do baby sign language with my child. Thank you for this great website.
This is such a great site!! My daughter was born 3 months early and she’s a little behind in her speech. They suggested teaching her signs and she already knows how to sign “more” after 1 day! I can’t wait to teach her more words! The videos are really helpful too!! Could you add ‘closed’ to your list? Thank you!!!
Excellent website. I love the video examples. Can you please add “sick” as I think this is an important one for children.
ADMIN – Hi Ryan,
Glad you found it useful and thanks for the suggestion. We have added sick to the dictionary.
Love the site! How about the sign for down?
This is wonderful! Thank you so much to putting such a helpful website together.
Thank you for such an amazing site! I would love to see a sign for “nap”. =)
ADMIN – Hi Amanda,
For nap, most people just use the sign for sleep. Baby understands that it is a short daytime nap, rather than an extended all-night sleep from the context.
thanks you
can you add the sign for Nanny and Grandad please
ADMIN – Hi Natasha,
For nanny and grandad, you can use the signs grandmother and grandfather respectively.
Thank you for your very simple and crisp website, and thank you for making it free. I would love to see the words: outside, good morning, and beautiful. Thank you.
Give us a few weeks and we will create the material for bottle
I would love to have the sign for “bottle”, but we’ve been using “milk” in its place for now.
Thanks for everything!
I really appreciate this site’s simplicity and yet expansiveness. Could you include “scared” or “afraid” in your next round of signs? Thanks again for all you do!
Thanks so much! My son is 18 months old but isn’t communicating more than, “ah ah ah” when he’s hungry or thirsty. He learned “eat” and “more” today. It’s very exciting. “You’re welcome” and “help” will be great to learn when you add them. Again, thank you for the FREE site where we can all learn to better communicate with our children.
My son is 18 months old and we are just now starting to teach him to sign. He loves it. We were wondering if you could help us with the sign for ‘help’. He is a do-it-yourself guy but still needs help from Mom and Dad. Thank you
ADMIN – Hi Dawnatella,
Help looks like you are making the ‘thumbs up’ sign with your dominant hand, with your non-dominant hand underneath forming a base. Then you raise both hands up. The effect is like giving someone a big ‘thumbs up’ for helping you. You will find a video and diagram of the sign in the dictionary.
Thank you for this wonderful website! I continue to share it with all the new parents I know! Sign language has helped me communicate so much better with my daughter who has been signing since she was 6 months!
came back looking to see if youve added the new signs yet. Our daughter has learned over 300 signs in the last year, your flashcards are an added bonus!! thank you!
Head to our Facebook page. I just shared you’re welcome with our followers.
The sign for “You’re Welcome” would be great! :) Thank you!
Thank you so much for this free webpage. My middle daughter is three and throws major tantrums for no reason and we wanted to try signing to see if that helps her and all ready the two words we taught her today and made an impact thank you so much.
This is such a helpful website! I know you are planning on adding new signs in June, so I’m just gonna say I hope there are more food signs – my girl loves strawberries, and lima beans, and most other fruits and vegetables. I hope to learn enough of them to let her tell me what she wants each meal. :)
We will soon add over 800 new signs!
Nice website… we were looking for the “carry me” sign or “carry”. Can you add that too please?
This is a great resource. My almost 2 year old doesn’t like to talk (even though he can) so I started teaching him signs and he’s learned 4 in the past week! We need some refining, but he’s communicating! Thanks so much for this!!
And echoing Heather – can you add the sign for “help” much needed!
Thanks for what you do!
ADMIN – Hi Lauren,
Appreciate the kind words. We will be adding another 800 words in the coming months including help.
Thanks for this information….I have custody of my twin grand-daughters who have been diagnosed with MR, both different degrees. They are two but we have no way to communicate as they can’t and maybe won’t be able to talk. Signing is what the doctor recommended. Thanks for getting us started.
You have most of the signs i would like to sign to my daughter. The lady on the videos makes the signs on this website pretty easy to learn so thank you for teaching me so i can better communicate with my daughter
Need birthday please!
ADMIN – Hi Angela,
We have added a video of birthday in baby sign language. You take your middle finger and first touch it on your chin, then your chest.
Can you please add the word “eat”…thank you!
ADMIN – Hi Melissa,
We added eat. Thank you for suggesting it.
Is there a sign for “nurse” or “breastfeed” or something?
ADMIN – Hi Priscilla,
Most people use the sign for milk to refer to nursing for breastfed children.
Thanks so much for the great resource! This is fabulous!
This would have been so helpful when I was raising my children… What a wonderful idea… And, that it’s free makes it all the more praiseworthy… I can only imagine how frustrating communication is for young babies today with all that surrounds them…
I’m surprised that ‘help’ isn’t in there, too.
ADMIN – Hi Sharlene,
We appreciate your kind words. We haved added help, thank you for suggesting it.
Will you please add the sign for “help”? Thanks! :)