7 Everyday Moments Perfect for Practising Signing with your Baby

You don’t need to set aside special “lesson time” to learn signing with your baby. In fact, the best opportunities to practise signing happen naturally throughout the day. Babies learn through repetition, context, and connection, so everyday routines are the perfect place to practice signs and build understanding.

What are 7 everyday moments that are ideal for practising signing with your little one?

1. Mealtimes

Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or snack time, mealtimes are packed with opportunities for communication. Practise signs like “eat, drink, more, all gone, and milk”.

Tip: As you offer food, say and sign “Do you want more?” before giving another spoonful. Over time your baby will start to understand these signs and eventually sign back to tell you what they want.

2. Bath Time

   
   

Bath time is a sensory-rich space for signing. You could use signs like “Bath, water, and duck”. Repeating signs in this context helps them connect words with experiences.

3. Playtime

   
   

Whether you’re stacking blocks, singing nursery rhymes or playing games, try signs like “play, ball, slide, tablet”. Nursery Rhymes are short, rhythmic, and full of repetition, which makes them perfect for practising signs. For example, in “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” you can sign “boat,” “water,” and “crocodile”. 

We have several Nursery Rhyme resources on our website including a Signalong for Babies Nursery Rhyme book which features 8 most popular Nursery Rhymes appropriate to those aged 6 months – 18 months.

4. Out and About

   
   

A walk in the park or a trip to the shops is full of new things to see and sign. Sign along when you see a “bicycle, tree, flower”

5. Bedtime Routine

   
   

The calm of bedtime is perfect for gentle signing. You can include signs like “bed, teddy, book, love”. Signing during story time or while saying goodnight helps reinforce comfort and connection.

6. Getting Dressed

   
   

Getting dressed happens every day, and it’s full of opportunities for clear, repetitive signing. Try signs like “trousers, coat, shoes”

7. Animal Time

   
   

Whether it’s meeting real animals, playing with toy ones, or spotting them in books or outdoors, babies are fascinated by animals which makes this a perfect moment for signing. Try signs such as “elephant, horse, bird, cat”

You can sign and say the word each time your baby sees or hears the animal, for example, you could sign and say “Look! Cat!”. The repetition helps your baby connect the sign with the sound and sight.

🌟 Remember:

Consistency and patience are key. The more often your baby sees a sign used in the same context, the quicker they’ll understand and begin to use it. Remember, their signing won’t be perfect but celebrate the small successes, a glance, a gesture, or an attempt, they’re all steps toward real communication.

💬 Want to Learn More?

If you’d like to explore baby signing further, our Signalong courses can help you gain confidence and discover even more everyday signs to use with your child. Find a Signalong for Babies Trainer near you.