Baby Sign Language Ideas for Fall 2023
this post may contain affiliate links | updated October 2023
Fall is welcomed by cooler temps, more fresh air, and beautiful colors. Our little ones are eager to explore the outdoors whether it is falling leaves, acorns, carving pumpkins, picking apples, trick-or-treating, or visiting farm animals.
These fun-filled experiences provide many learning opportunities for our littles, and sign language is a wonderful way to help your child communicate about this exciting time of year even more, as their spoken language continues to develop. Use these baby sign language ideas this fall!
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Benefits to using sign language with your baby during play
Oftentimes, the focus on using sign language with babies and toddlers for early communication is focused on routines: feedings, meals, bedtime, etc. However, using sign language during PLAY has many benefits that are also very important!
Using sign language while playing with your baby or toddler is beneficial for many reasons:
Meaningful connections are made within your child’s brain.
There are multiple opportunities for repetition of signs, words, and phrases.
Language learning is extended.
Two-way communication organically occurs.
Joint attention between child and caregiver.
Creates bonding and positive interactions.
Want to use sign language with your little one?
Sign Through the Seasons: Fall is an all-inclusive activity workshop that equips you to implement meaningful activities, targeted signed vocabulary, and intentional learning for your baby, toddler, or preschooler during the fall months! Learn more about this seasonal e-course here.
Get Started Now with 10 functional ASL signs to start using with your baby or toddler right away. Learn 3 tips to ensure you are using signs correctly and with realistic expectations. Whether you have already started signing, or just warming up to the idea, this free guide will take you one step closer to your goal!
Check out my online resources for parents! Browse my current offerings.
Sign language for the fall
APPLE: can be used while picking apples at the orchard, eating a delicious snack, creating artwork, and exploring during sensory play.
PUMPKIN: use this sign as you are decorating for fall, at the pumpkin patch, decorating or carving pumpkins, and spot them while on a family walk.
LEAF: perfect sign to use anytime you are outside, raking and jumping into piles, collecting them, and even sorting them.
2022 Fall and autumn book recommendations for babies & toddlers
Reading books about this season will help extend your child’s learning and experiences. Incorporate the signs you know as you read together.
Apple Farmer Annie is a fantastic book for the 1+ year olds, discussing all things from apple picking, to counting, sorting, and more.
Leaf Man will take your child on a fun leaf-filled adventure as he drifts in the wind. The illustrations are of actual leaves, crafted together to create Leaf Man, which depicts the beauty of the season perfectly.
Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin is a favorite of my littles! The two characters search all over for a pumpkin, and babies and toddlers will love to read this story time and time again.
When to use sign language with your baby during the fall
There are many fun outings, experiences, and activities to do this season. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Go on a leaf hunt, collecting leaves on your route. Glue them on paper to make a collage, put in a sensory bin, and press into playdough to make imprints!
Create a sensory bottle (such as this one) together. Talk about Halloween, trick or treating, and what to expect as you create it. This can also be used as a “calm down jar.”
Gather some small pumpkins and gourds at the store, or at a pumpkin patch. Decorate them, experiment whether they sink or float, and use them as stamps to paint.
