If you follow parenting channels even a little, you’ve surely come across this new trend called Sign language for babies . Between trend and real-life support, we explain how useful this communication method can be in everyday life. The idea is not, of course, to replace spoken language, but rather to support it.

What is baby sign language?

It’s important to distinguish between LSF (French Sign Language) and the sign language you practice with your baby. One is a living language, while the other is a communication support.

What is LSF?

LSF is a living language . It has grammar, syntax, and the ability to evolve. It was created for deaf people and is used by approximately 170,000 “French speakers” worldwide. There is a universal sign language, but it contains very few words. Each country therefore has its own, just like spoken languages and other non-signed languages.

How is sign language with babies different?

Unlike sign language (LSF), sign language with babies is not a living language. A gesture represents a word or a concept. The idea is not to create sentences, but simply to create a language support . The sign language you practice with your little one doesn’t stand alone; instead, it accompanies what you say with a gesture. Your child will learn and use these gestures before acquiring spoken language, so they can express basic needs and desires.

Does sign language slow down language acquisition in babies?

Because it appeared quickly and became very popular across parenting media, baby sign language has been considered a trend . Let’s be clear right away: the sign language you practice with your baby is not a barrier to language . On the contrary, it allows your child to express themselves earlier and feel less frustration when they aren’t understood. Some studies have shown that a baby who practices sign language may even acquire spoken language earlier than a child who has not practiced it.

Sign language with your little adventurer is a real support for language. It helps with communication. Signs aren’t used to form sentences, but rather to express basic needs: eating, sleeping, changing the diaper, bath time, etc.

When to start sign language with baby?

You can start signing with your baby from birth. The more you get used to doing it, the more you give your baby the chance to absorb it. Around 6 months of age, they will start to truly take it in. Then, around 8–10 months, they will probably begin making their first signs.

Language corresponds to a certain maturity of the larynx that occurs between 18 and 24 months. Meanwhile, around 8–10 months, your baby is able to imitate simple gestures . Sign language is therefore ideal to practice with your baby from birth until about 24 months, when they replace signs with words.

How to set up sign language learning with your baby?

Obviously, introducing sign language with your baby requires a bit of preparation and organization. Start as simply as possible, then expand gradually. You can also invite those around you to join in, especially if they regularly spend time with your baby.

How to start learning?

As mentioned earlier, it is counterproductive to introduce too many signs at once . There are many different resources available to learn sign language. If the people around you decide to get involved, your child is more likely to embrace it, and your loved ones will also better understand their basic needs.

Quels sont les premiers signes à apprendre à bébé ?

It is generally recommended to start signing with just one word, then add a second after a few days, then a third, and so on. This gradual introduction helps your baby better understand what’s happening and also makes it easier for you to integrate this new way of communicating.

It's up to you to choose the words you want to sign first with your little adventurer. Generally, the most commonly used ones are very concrete words of everyday life such as:

You can then incorporate more and more words from your daily life. They help you better understand your child and, in turn, help them communicate more effectively. This can be especially helpful during toddler crises linked to misunderstandings, such as the .

Comment mettre en place le langage des signes ?

To start sign language with your baby, there are different approaches. You can choose books . There are more and more of them. Here are our favorites to help you decide:

1. Signing with her baby, Sophie d’Olce, First. A very comprehensive book with a theoretical section and sheets to practice signs. A simple and highly effective book to start signing with your baby.

2. The ultimate guide to signs with baby, Marie Cao, Marabout. This book doesn’t just skim the surface. You’ll find advice, word sheets, songs, and QR codes linking to videos of the signs—because honestly, it’s not always easy to understand from drawings alone.

3. The Sign Language Picture Book, Isabelle Jacqué, Langue au chat. A small collection of books with topics organized by theme: first words, meals, emotions, family, and nursery rhymes. These books are mainly aimed at children, with no theoretical section, but they offer lovely illustrations and a format suited to little ones.

4. The Père Castor picture book in sign language, Père Castor. This book brings together twenty words in twenty signs. Beautiful double-page spreads show, on the left, a child making the gesture and, on the right, the gesture broken down into a drawing, along with a few explanatory sentences.

To go further, there are also stories in sign language, like Pénélope's books for Grandes Personnes, which are illustrated poems in signs. Poetry in sign language is a delight.

Books are excellent supports, but they can feel a bit dry—especially since sign language is practiced in space, in a 3D space . You can also look online; there are some very good resources (including those by Marie Cao, author of one of the books mentioned above).

There are also workshops to learn sign language with your baby. They allow you to learn more, see the signs clearly, ask questions, and most importantly, share a gentle moment with your little one. These workshops have a cost, but it’s true that seeing the gestures performed in front of you is a real bonus. Some SMEs organize them; check with those near you.

Practicing sign language with your baby can be a very rewarding experience. It allows you to create communication and connection with your baby who is not yet able to express themselves with words. It does require commitment, but we promise you, it’s an incredible experience to share with your little one as a family.