The Best First Signs to Teach Your Baby and Why These Matter Most

Teaching your baby to sign is a wonderful way to support their early communication. Before babies can say words clearly, they often have plenty they want to tell us. Simple signs can give them a way to express their needs, thoughts and feelings, helping to reduce frustration and strengthen the bond between you.

If you’re wondering where to begin, here are some of the best first signs to teach your baby and why they’re so useful.

More

One of the most popular first signs, more is perfect for mealtimes, play and favourite activities. Whether your baby wants another spoonful of food, another turn on the swing or another verse of their favourite song, this sign gives them a simple way to ask for more.

Milk

For babies, milk is an incredibly practical sign. It allows them to let you know when they’re hungry before they are able to say the words, making feeding time easier for everyone by reducing tantrums and outbursts when needs or wants are not met.

Eat and Drink

As babies grow, they begin to recognise the difference between being hungry and thirsty. Teaching eat and drink helps them communicate these everyday needs clearly and confidently.

Mummy and Daddy

Babies love recognising the important people in their lives. Signing mummy and daddy encourages connection and helps them communicate who they are looking for or talking about.

Finished

The sign for finished is useful in so many situations. It helps babies let you know when they’ve had enough to eat, are ready to stop playing, or have completed an activity. It encourages choice and gives them a way to communicate without becoming upset.

Please and Thank You

Simple manners can be introduced from an early age through signing. Using please and thank you consistently helps babies become familiar with these important social skills as their communication develops.

Sleep

When babies are tired, communicating that they want to sleep can be difficult. The sleep sign can become part of your bedtime routine and gives your baby another way to express how they’re feeling.

Favourite People and Everyday Objects

Once your baby has learned a few basic signs, you can expand their vocabulary with signs for favourite toys, animals, family members and everyday objects they see around them. Learning signs that are meaningful and relevant to your baby’s daily life keeps communication fun and engaging.

Why Start with These Signs?

The best first signs are the ones your baby will use every day. They’re practical, easy to repeat in everyday routines and give your baby opportunities to communicate successfully from an early age.

Remember, babies learn through repetition. Use the sign every time you say the word, be consistent, and celebrate every attempt your baby makes to communicate. Even if they don’t copy the sign straight away, they’re watching, learning and building important communication skills.

Most importantly, signing should always be enjoyable and a fun bonding experience for you and your child. Make it part of your everyday routines, sing songs, read books together and use signs naturally throughout the day. Before long, you’ll be amazed at how much your little one has to say.

Whether your baby signs back after a few weeks or a few months, every sign you use is helping to build their understanding of language and giving them another way to connect with people around them.

Signalong for Babies Learning Cards

While most babies won't start signing back until they're around six months old, they're already absorbing and learning the association long before that. By using Signalong for Babies, you can reduce frustration and start to understand and address your babies needs and wants. Our Signalong for Babies Learning Cards contain 106 signs including signs for: Dummy, Again, Teddy, Bib, Cuddle, Mummy, Daddy, Milk, Love, Toilet, and more.

You will receive a set of 8 cards including 106 signs appropriate to the most common needs and objects for babies 9 months to 18 months old.