Teach Your Baby “ALL DONE” In Sign Language
Many parents want to learn how to sign “all done” in sign language as one of the first signs to teach their babies and toddlers. While it’s one of the popular first ASL signs to teach your baby, it’s also one that is important for your baby to learn early! In this blog post, you’ll learn why that is, as well as the correct way to sign “all done” in American Sign Language, when to use the sign with your baby or toddler, what it may look like (because the way your baby signs may surprise you), as well as how to know if your baby understands you!
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Why is ALL DONE a great first sign for babies?
It meets their immediate needs. Babies are born communicating and they often need to communicate that they want something to end, such as tummy time, a feeding or meal, or being in the car seat.
It can be easily repeated, for frequent exposure. Think about how often activities end and transitions cycle through one another. Between finishing a diaper change, a feeding, some tummy time or play, and bath - you are always moving from one thing to the next. This provides man opportunities for the sign “all done” to be used, practiced, and part of your routine. As a result, your little one may sign “ALL DONE” as one of their first signs as well!
It aligns with a baby’s early motor development. The ASL sign for “all done” (see below for a video!) is also a motor skill that babies develop at only a few months of age. This allows for the sign to be one of a baby’s first few signs!
Want to use sign language with your little one?
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Learn “all done” in ASL to teach your baby
To sign ALL DONE, both of your hands are like the number 5. They rotate outward twice. Make sure that your entire forearm is twisting, and not just your hands like many “baby sign language” resources incorrectly teach.
When your baby or toddler uses the sign, it may be one handed and/or look like a wave. That is a normal progress of development. Continue to praise and support their signing, and continue to model the correct ASL sign for “all done.” As they continue to grow and develop, their signs will also develop (think about how their spoken words continue to evolve from early approximations to correct as they grow).
When should you use the sign for “all done” with your baby or toddler?
This was my daughter's first sign at 6 months old, and one of my son’s first 3 signs around 8 months old. It was used in our house all the time! Whether the diaper change was over, they were done eating, or the book ended ... that sign was exposed to both babies repetitively.
There are many opportunities for you and your child to use the ASL for “all done” (which can also mean ‘finished’ or ‘the end’). Some of these include:
⭐done being in a room or area
⭐ finished with a meal
⭐ done playing with a specific toy
⭐ over sitting (think highchair, bouncer, swing, etc)
⭐ finished listening to music
⭐ done with an activity
⭐ over waiting
How do you know if your baby understands your signs?
Your baby can recognize signs much earlier than they can sign back to you. When your baby begins to recognize signs (sometimes as early as 3 months, but usually between 4-6 months), it is a pretty exciting feeling!
Look for these cues from your baby. They may be recognizing your sign for all done!
👀 eyes may open big & wide, very alert and focused on the sign
👅 give a big, open mouth smile & sweet baby giggles, excited for what was to come
😭 if they are already crying, they may actually cry LOUDER because they are readyyyy for you to get the memo
💪🦵arms and legs may kick and punch from excitement, pumped that their needs are being met
