Activities For Teaching Your Baby ASL
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When it comes to teaching our babies and toddlers sign language, we often think of “activities” and “teaching time.” And because I am a certified teacher, I also know this: that’s not always the best approach.
Our little ones learn the most through PLAY. Whether that is learning language, cause/effect, eye-hand coordination, motor skills, or otherwise - they learn the best through play.
For babies and toddlers, I love using playtime with the help of toys, and pairing sign language during these playtime activities. Don’t get me wrong, toy-less play is also a wonderful activity, but I will save that for another blog post.
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.
But first: why play?
Play is highly motivating for your little one. There is so much language opportunity during play, and sign language can really take it to the next level! Take a look at these 6 benefits:
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Teach Your Baby Sign Language With These Five Common Toys
Toys are so versatile with how they can be used alongside your baby's development, and sign language is no exception! To me, it just makes sense (as I shared in this Instagram reel on this topic).
These five common toys are some of my favorites. You may already have them at home, and I also included links if you are making an upcoming birthday or holiday wish list!
I have compiled all of my favorite toys to use with sign language on my Amazon storefront. Click here to check them out!
Puzzles
I love using wooden knob puzzles for babies and young toddlers and chunky wooden puzzles for toddlers. While you and your child are doing the puzzle, you can use signs such as:
HELP: requesting your assistance
FIND: when searching for a missing puzzle piece
IN: as they fit the pieces together
2. Blocks & Legos
Both of these were perfect first birthday presents for my babies. The Mega Blocks come in their own storage case, and the foam blocks are more injury safe. We love having both types in our house, as they are similar yet also different! While building towers, car ramps, and all of the other endless options, sign:
MORE: before rebuilding something else
HELP: giving or requesting assistance
OH-NO: when it gets knocked over or crashes down too early
UP: as you build higher and higher
3. Tummy Time Water Mat
Both of my babies absolutely LOVED this water mat during tummy time, sitting practice, and while at the high chair. Many pediatric physical therapists love this for motor skills as well (beyond just tummy time). While your baby is mesmerized by the animals floating and moving in the water, use sign language such as:
MORE: as they feel the waves when the mat is pushed
ALL DONE: when they've reached their limit doing tummy time
WATER: when you or they press down and hear the sound of the water
GO: as they watch the fish and ocean animals glide
4. Push Vehicles
My son’s physical therapist recommended these push/pull toy vehicles (and ladybug cars) for some of his motor goals, and they were the perfect opportunity to also use lots of sign language! These cars are great for little hands to be able to get quite a bit of speed from a little pull backwards, and they will be entertained for a good chunk of time. Try these sign language pairs:
GO/STOP: as they zoom and crash or stop
IN/OUT: of the tunnels you build (with the legos or blocks!)
UP/DOWN: ramps (with the foam blocks)
5. Dollhouses
These Fisher Price Little People houses are the best! We had the Big Helpers Home, and many of our friends have the Friends Together Playhouse. Regardless the gender of your child, these houses will be played with a lot and promote wonderful skills! In addition to general functional vocabulary, sign language related to routines can also be used during playtime with these houses:
EAT/SLEEP/BATH: as the doll figures go about their day
UP/DOWN: the stairs and levels
GO: around the house, or off for an adventure (using the vehicles)
IN/OUT: as they come and go
I can’t wait for you to bring out some of these toys and use more sign language during playtime activities with your little one!
