Top 10 Free Resources for Learning Baby Sign Language

When your baby is entering the stage of squealing or screaming to get things because he can’t talk yet, it might be time to try teaching him some baby sign language. Baby J is just getting there, so I’m starting to learn some sign language to teach him. I can remember my mom teaching it to my very ferociously-noisy-screaming youngest brother with great results. (I’m the oldest of six children.) He didn’t always use the correct sign, but we figured out what he meant. “Milk,” “please,” and “more,” were his favorite baby sign language words.

One option for learning baby sign language along with your baby is to buy a video, such as the one I linked to in the bilingual baby resources post, but there are also many free teaching materials. Here’s a great list of free learning resources I’ve collected:

Top 10 Free Resources for Learning Baby Sign Language

1. The First 100 Signs

   This page has links to easy-to-follow diagrams for the first 100 signs to learn in American Sign Language, including milk, cereal, please, mom, dad. Beside the links to each diagram is a video showing a woman signing each of the words. If you’re only planning to learn a few words so your baby can sign for her basic needs, this list of words is probably all you’ll need. (Since I’m already trying to speak Spanish most of the time with Baby J, this list contains just about everything I want to use with him in baby sign language.)

2. Sign Language 101

   Sign Language 101 offers 10 instructional videos on the front page of the website, teaching a number of important sign language elements, such as the alphabet, antonyms, and correct body language.

3. Expert Village (YouTube Channel)

   This is the playlist of common phrases in sign language taught by Expert Village.

4. Baby Signing Time Video

   Clap Clap Baby has this great musical video teaching the words for eat and drink, showing adorable babies signing the words. (Also has the word for water, milk, etc.)

5. Two Little Hands Baby Sign Language Dictionary

   This dictionary of common words has a video for each word of a woman signing the word. I love this website!

6. Signing Time YouTube Playlist

   Rachel Coleman from Two Little Hands hosts most if not all of these videos.

7. Baby Einstein My First Signs

   The Baby Einstein channel on YouTube has quite a few learning resources for your baby, including baby sign language videos. This particular video is made to watch with your baby, so it’s very slow-moving. Good for older babies, but not so much for you if you’re trying to quickly learn some signs to teach.

8. Baby Sign Language Song (ASL) Basic Commands

   Patty Shukla sings this very simple song while signing on the video, which shows her signing in front of the ocean. (Once you get started on YouTube, you’ll find many more baby sign language resources!)

9. Signing Savvy

   Signing Savvy has a search bar you can use to try to find videos/graphics showing words and phrases in American Sign Language. There’s also a blog with stories about people like Debbie Walker, who has Usher’s Syndrome and is deaf-blind. Be forewarned: many of the features on Signing Savvy are only available for paying members. 

10. Best Apps for Learning Sign Language (Includes Baby Sign Language Apps)

    This page on Healthy Hearing offers a list of the best apps for learning sign language, many of which are free.

ICanSign.com also has some great charts for easy baby sign language.

What free resources for baby sign language have been most helpful for you and your baby?

Let us know in the comments below!