Why These 20 Signs First
There are hundreds of signs you could teach. The signs worth teaching first are the ones that reduce frustration immediately — the words your child needs most urgently but cannot yet say. Research on baby sign language consistently shows that signs with the highest emotional relevance to the child are learned fastest and used most consistently.
This list is ordered by practical impact, not alphabetical order, not frequency in ASL dictionaries. Start at the top and work through the list at your child's pace.
When to Start
You can begin introducing signs from 6 months. Most babies begin using signs consistently between 8-12 months. Start before you think your baby is ready — the production of a sign (using it themselves) lags behind comprehension by several weeks. If you start at 9 months, expect to see signs used back to you around 10-11 months.
The 20 Signs
1. MORE
Tap your fingertips together in front of your chest, like bringing two handfuls together. Use it at every meal: do you want more? Then model the sign as you give more food.
2. ALL DONE / FINISHED
Hold both hands up in front of you with palms facing you, then flip them outward so palms face away. Use it when meals end, activities end, car rides end. This reduces transition tantrums significantly.
3. EAT / FOOD
Bring your fingers and thumb together (like holding food) and tap your mouth a few times. Use at every meal and when you see the child heading toward the kitchen.
4. DRINK / WATER
Make a W shape with three fingers and tap the side of your mouth. Use when offering water, at mealtimes, and when they seem thirsty after activity.
5. MILK
Open and close your fist repeatedly, like you are milking. If you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding, this will become one of the first signs used.
6. MAMA
Open hand, thumb extended, tap the thumb to your chin. This is a natural sign for babies who are already doing chin or mouth movements.
7. DADA
Open hand, thumb extended, tap the thumb to your forehead. Introduce at the same time as MAMA.
8. PLEASE
Flat hand on chest, circular motion. Use consistently before fulfilling any request. The pragmatic teaching of please through sign is more effective than the verbal version alone.
9. THANK YOU
Flat hand touches the chin and moves outward, like blowing a kiss. Use after receiving anything — food, help, a hug.
10. HELP
One fist on top of a flat palm, move both hands upward together. This is one of the most important signs — it gives a pre-verbal child the ability to ask for assistance instead of crying or throwing something.
11. SLEEP
Open hand in front of face, close fingers downward past the face to chin, ending in a flat O. Use at bedtime and naptime, consistently before laying them down.
12. BATH
Closed fists on the chest, scrubbing up and down. Use before bath begins so the transition is not a surprise.
13. BOOK
Both hands flat, palms up, open like a book. Use when offering books and when the child brings you a book to read.
14. DOG
Pat your thigh with one hand, then snap your fingers. One of the earliest signs many babies acquire because of how exciting dogs are.
15. CAT
Pinch thumb and forefinger together near your cheek and pull out to the side, like tracing a whisker. High value sign for families with cats.
16. BIRD
Index finger and thumb open and close near the mouth like a beak. Strong early sign because birds appear in so many books and outdoor environments.
17. HOT
Cupped hand in front of the mouth, then move the hand away and down sharply. This is a safety sign — use it consistently when touching hot things near the child.
18. HURT / PAIN
Index fingers point toward each other and tap twice. Use when the child gets hurt, when you see them in pain, and when asking where it hurts.
19. PLAY
Both hands in the Y shape (pinky and thumb extended), wiggle back and forth. Use before play, during invitations to play, and when asking if they want to play.
20. NO MORE
Start with the MORE sign, then transition to ALL DONE. Teaching these as a pair helps the child communicate both sides of the most common toddler negotiation.
How to Teach Signs
Use the sign every time you say the word, consistently for 2-4 weeks, before expecting the child to produce it. Never force the child's hands into the sign — only model it yourself. Respond immediately and enthusiastically the first time you see an approximation of any sign. Approximations count. A two-handed more that only uses one hand is still more.
Related Resources
The Baby Sign Language Guide covers 50 signs organized by category with a week-by-week introduction plan and printable sign cards. The Talking Bundle combines the Baby Sign Language Guide with the Speech Development Guide, First Words Milestones, Communication Activities Pack, and Parent Scripts for $24.