How Does Signing Support Your Baby's Development Through Play?

Play is a big part of how babies and young children learn about the world. Whether they are playing with toys, looking at books, singing songs or exploring sensory activities, play provides valuable opportunities to develop new skills, interact with others and communicate.

Adding Signalong to these everyday play activities can help support early communication while making learning fun, meaningful and interactive.

But how can Signalong support development through play?

Supporting Early Communication

Babies have lots to communicate before they can say words clearly. They may point, reach, make sounds or use facial expressions to show what they want.

Using Signalong alongside spoken words can give babies another way to communicate. Simple signs such as MORE, FINISHED, MILK, EAT, PLAY and BOOK can be introduced naturally during everyday activities.

For example, if your baby wants you to continue a favourite game, you can say and sign MORE. Repeating the sign whenever you use the word helps your baby begin to understand the connection between the sign, the spoken word and its meaning.

Encouraging Language Development

Signalong is used alongside speech rather than instead of it. When you sign, you also say the corresponding word.

This gives babies the opportunity to see and hear the word at the same time. During play, you can focus on simple words that relate to what your baby is doing, seeing or experiencing.

If you’re playing with a ball, for example, you might say and sign BALL, More, FINISHED. 

Over time, your baby can begin to associate these signs and words with familiar objects, actions and routines.

Building Attention and Understanding

Play encourages babies to look, listen and focus on what is happening around them.

Adding signs can help draw attention to important words during an activity. The visual movement of a sign can provide an additional way for babies to notice and understand what you are communicating.

Try using a sign just before something happens. For example, before blowing bubbles, say and sign BUBBLES. Pause and give your baby time to watch what you are doing.

This can help create a connection between the sign, the word and the activity.

Encouraging interaction and turn-taking

Play is also an opportunity to develop social skills. Games involving taking turns, copying actions and responding to another person help babies learn about interaction.

Simple activities such as rolling a ball backwards and forwards can become opportunities to practise communication and turn-taking. You could say and sign MY TURN, the roll the ball to your baby and say YOUR TURN when it is their turn.

These small interactions can help babies begin to understand the rhythm of communication, listening, responding, and taking turns.

Learning through sensory play

Sensory play gives babies the opportunity to explore different textures, temperatures, sounds and movements.

Activities such as water play, bubbles and messy play can provide lots of opportunities to introduce signs. You might use WATER, WET, MORE, BUBBLES, or FINISHED while talking about what your baby is experiencing.

Connecting signs and words to something babies can see, hear, and feel can help make communication meaningful.

Follow your baby’s interests

You don’t need to plan a special signing activity. Some of the best opportunities happen naturally during play.

Follow what your baby is interested in and introduce signs that relate to what they are doing. If they love bubbles, for example, repeatedly say and sign BUBBLES while you play.

Start with a few useful signs and use them regularly. Your baby may not copy the signs straight away but watching you sign is an important part of learning.

Whether you're singing a favourite song, sharing a book or simply playing together, everyday moments can become opportunities to support your baby's development, while enjoying time together.

Want to find out more about Signalong for Babies?

Interested in learning more about Signalong for Babies? Send us an email to training@signalongforbabies.org.uk to find out how to start signing with your baby.