The Magic of Early Communication: Why Teaching Your Baby ASL is a Game Changer

Picture this: your baby is reaching for their cup, getting frustrated, and instead of crying or throwing it across the room, they simply sign "cup." Or your toddler, who doesn’t quite have the words yet, signs "help" instead of melting down in frustration. This is the magic of teaching babies American Sign Language (ASL)—giving them the tools to communicate before speech fully develops. And trust me, the benefits are amazing.

As a society we completely underestimate a baby’s ability to understand language. Why not give them the tools to communicate early?

Why Start ASL Early?

Babies are capable of understanding language long before they can speak. Their motor skills often develop faster than their verbal abilities, which means their hands are ready to talk before their mouths are. Introducing ASL early (as young as 4-6 months) bridges this gap and helps babies express themselves clearly, reducing frustration and strengthening the parent-child bond.

But it’s not enough to start at 4 months! If YOU don’t know and use the signs, your baby can’t either.

As a mom, I used ASL with all three of my kids, and I truly believe that their ability to communicate with me so early made their quality of life better than their peers. Being able to understand their needs and emotions from such a young age created a stronger bond and a more peaceful home environment. (Okay… I’m a real human to though, so not always peaceful)

Benefits of Signing With Your Baby

1. Less Crying, More Connection

One of the biggest benefits of baby sign language is that it cuts down on frustration—for both babies and parents. When a baby can sign what they need instead of crying, everyone wins. Imagine knowing exactly when your baby wants more food, needs a diaper change, or is feeling tired. It’s a total game changer.

2. Faster Language Development

Contrary to the myth that signing delays speech, research shows that babies who learn ASL often develop verbal skills earlier than their peers. Signing builds a strong language foundation, making it easier for babies to transition into spoken words when they’re ready.

3. Supports Emotional Regulation

Toddlers are notorious for big emotions, but signing gives them an early way to express their feelings. Instead of screaming when they’re frustrated, they can sign "help." Instead of biting when they’re overwhelmed, they can sign "all done." Giving them the ability to express emotions at an early age helps reduce tantrums and supports emotional intelligence.

4. Enhances Parent-Child Bonding

Signing is more than just a communication tool—it’s an interactive way to engage with your baby. Watching for their signs, responding with enthusiasm, and celebrating their efforts fosters deeper connection and trust. It also encourages eye contact and shared focus, which strengthens attachment.

5. Boosts Cognitive Skills

Learning sign language engages multiple areas of the brain, improving memory, problem-solving, and spatial awareness. Studies show that babies exposed to signing often score higher on cognitive tests later in childhood.

6. Bridges the Toddler Gap

The toddler years are filled with rapid growth, but language can sometimes lag behind emotions and desires. Signing acts as a bridge, allowing toddlers to continue expressing themselves even when they can’t quite articulate their thoughts verbally yet. This helps smooth the transition to full speech and reduces frustration along the way.

How to Get Started

Starting ASL with your baby is simple! Focus on a few key signs at first, and use them all the time.

Use the signs consistently when saying the word, and be patient—some babies take weeks to sign back, but when they do, it’s worth the wait!

What else can you do? Come to our classes!! (LINK TO CLASSES COMING SOON!)

Final Thoughts

Giving your baby the gift of communication through ASL is one of the best things you can do. It reduces frustration, supports early language development, and makes life so much easier as they grow. Whether you're signing "milk" at six months or "help" at two years old, you're empowering your little one with the ability to express themselves—and that is priceless.

Want to learn more? Check out our ASL for Babies classes at Be Well Baby PDX, where we make signing fun and easy for the whole family!