Family Members in Sign Language
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Many babies and toddlers have specific wishes as to which parent helps them, which sibling they want to sit next to, or who holds them. If this is your child, teach your baby or toddler family members in sign language! These ASL signs can help reduce frustrations and the guessing game of who they want.
It definitely has helped with both of my children! I remember my son being held by a neighbor and he was reaching out to my husband and me, wanting to come to one of us. I leaned in to take him, and he immediately started crying. I didn’t think anything of it, but couldn’t seem to satisfy him in my arms or taking him to another room to play. My husband came in a few minutes later to give me some relief, and our son stopped crying and smiled once my husband picked him up.
He didn’t want me. He wanted Daddy! That’s when I knew we needed to teach him sign language for mom and dad.
In this blog post, you will learn the benefits of using sign language with your toddler, sign language for family members, baby and toddler books that specifically target families, as well as activity ideas to further support their sign language and spoken language development.
If you don’t already, please follow me on Instagram for more about how sign language can be a game charger for your baby / toddler’s early communication skills.
Teach Your Toddler Sign Language
Sign language is a huge game changer for toddlers!
➡️In fact, their brain is actually primed for nonverbal communication. 🤯
So how can your toddler use sign language?
💗Toddlers have some spoken words, but when they’re not understood, they can feel very frustrated and unheard.
💗Sign language can help them distinguish between words that sound the same.
💗They may also be able to use sign language for spoken words they cannot say yet.
💗The more a toddler can effectively communicate, they can have more confidence & fewer frustrations.
Want to use sign language with your little one?
Tantrums + Sign Language is a pre-recorded mini-course on how to effectively implement sign language during your child's tantrums for faster recoveries. You will learn how to best navigate the imbalance in your child’s brain using ASL signs and proven strategies so you can get back to making memories, laughing, and playing in record time. Learn more here.
Look Who’s Signing Now is my signature four part course that teaches you the exact blueprint I use to teach my own children sign language. Beginning with the foundation of why and when to use baby sign language, how to implement it, and what signs to use. With this self-study e-course, you will have the confidence to sign with your baby and boost their early communication while reducing frustrations, tantrums, and time wasted playing the guessing game.
Check out my online resources for parents! Browse my current offerings.
Sign Language for Family
MOM/MOMMY/MAMA: make sure your fingers are spread apart, like you’re showing the number 5, and not glued together. Use this sign not only for yourself, but for characters in books, while playing, and when socializing with friends
DAD/DADDY/DADA: it’s the same as “mom” but on the forehead. In ASL, the male signs are (usually) above the nose whereas the female signs are below the nose.
BROTHER: signing “brother” may be possible before they’re able to approximate their sibling’s name.
SISTER: it’s the same as “brother” except starts at the chin, since it’s a female sign and is below the nose.
Books about families for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers
Reading books that focus on families will help extend your child’s learning, interests, and experiences. Of course, many other books include family characters, so they can be used very frequently! Incorporate the signs you know as you read together.
Who? A Celebration of Babies is a board book, perfect for babies and young toddlers 0-2 years old to talk about the people and things they love. They will love the repetitive language throughout the book, and connecting with their favorite things - like puppies and Grandma!
The Family Book is available as a board book and paperback. It includes different types and sizes of families, and allows for many great conversations with toddlers and preschoolers.
To see additional books I love using with sign language, please see my Amazon storefront.
Family Activities for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
These ASL family signs can also be used during activities and play! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Create a family picture board with pictures of members of your child's family. Glue them down on some construction paper, label them, and protect it with a layer of contact paper on the back and front. You can put this on the floor for baby to look at during tummy time, tape on the wall or window while they are sitting up, and include your older toddler or preschooler as you create it so it becomes a project they made themselves!
"Daddy Finger" is a song that many parents can't get out of their heads, but it is a great one to sing and sign along. These finger puppets are a great hands-on accessory.
For the older toddlers and preschoolers, this family activity would be great! I always have a few empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls saved for projects.
I hope these signs not only reduce frustrations for your little one, but also opens doors to deepen and enrich their sign language and communication skills!
