Teach Your Baby Sign Language for “MORE”
Many parents want to learn “more” in sign language as one of the first signs to teach their babies and toddlers. “More” is a great early word to teach your baby in sign language! In this blog post, you’ll learn why that is, as well as how to sign “more” in American Sign Language, when to use the sign with your baby or toddler, as well as what it may look like… because it may surprise you!
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Why is MORE a great early sign for babies?
It meets their immediate needs. Babies are born communicating and they often need to communicate that they want “more” of something, such as milk, books, or singing.
It can be easily repeated, for frequent exposure. Think about how often you repeat something throughout your day. More milk after they burp, another diaper change, another serving of sweet potatoes, more peek-a-boo, endless books - they are always wanting more. This provides many opportunities for the sign “more” to be used, practiced, and part of your routine. As a result, your little one may sign “MORE” as one of their first few signs as well!
It aligns with a baby’s early motor development. The ASL sign for “more” (see below for a video!) is also a motor skill that babies develop fairly early. If they are starting to clap, that’s your sign (pun intended) they’re able to sign “more” as well! This allows for the sign to be one of a baby’s early signs!
Want to use sign language with your little one?
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Learn “more” in ASL to teach your baby
To sign MORE, both of your hands are the flat-O handshape; your fingertips are touching, so that it’s not a fully rounded O, but instead a little smooshed. Your fingertips tap together twice.
When your baby or toddler uses the sign, it may not look at all like you were expecting. Their index fingers may tap together, or perhaps they may fist bump themselves (which is what both of my children did). They may also tap their index finger onto their palm, or even clap. These are called approximations, and they are a normal progress of development. Continue to praise and support their signing, and continue to model the correct ASL sign for “more.” 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 sign language for “more” with your baby or toddler?
Both my daughter and son were using this sign before their first birthdays, when they had about 5-8 signs each. Whether they wanted a refill of their water, another serving of food, or to keep playing a silly game… the sign was exposed to both babies repetitively, and as a result was used by them early.
There are many opportunities for you and your child to use the ASL for “more.” Some of these include:
⭐ more swinging or sliding
⭐ reading another book
⭐ more tickles and kisses
⭐ another serving
⭐ sleep longer
⭐ more bathroom needs
⭐ playing with blocks again
As you can see, this sign has many benefits and contexts for use! It doesn’t need to be limited to “more food” and can truly be a great functional sign to use with your baby before they can specify their request (using sign language) in toddlerhood. What will their sign for “more” look like? Please capture it on video and share it with me! I would love to see it!
