What is Signalong for Babies?
Every baby is unique and develops at their own pace. Signing with your baby is a great way to encourage and support their communication skills, even before they begin to speak.
There are many baby signing courses available across the UK, with the majority using natural hand gestures in their signs. We were inundated with requests to develop a recognised, consistent method of producing signs using Signalong.
Signalong for Babies follows the same methodology as Signalong, focusing on key elements such as handshape (how the hands are formed), orientation (how the hands are held), placement (where the hands are positioned), and movement. This structured approach ensures consistency and accessibility for all learners.
All our Signalong for Babies Trainers have completed a two-day Signalong training course to enable them to deliver the most appropriate 106 signs, alongside popular nursery rhymes, with accuracy. Trainers have also been equipped to discuss baby milestones and potential speech, language, and communication needs, with handouts provided containing guidance and advice lines.
Specialising in baby signing using Signalong methodology gives us the added advantage of using an established technique, based on British Sign Language, that provides all learners with the skills to advance their knowledge.
Sign: Love
Sign: Play
You can start signing from birth as part of your natural interactions, though babies typically begin signing back around six months of age. By nine months, babies are actively exploring the world around them, hugging soft toys, banging on drums, and engaging with objects using purposeful actions. At this stage, they understand much of what you say and may begin to show signs of cooperation, like holding out their arms to be picked up or helping when you dress them. Although they’re not forming precise words yet, babbling and vocalising are common ways they seek attention and interact with others.
It’s during this time that babies often start trying to replicate the signs they see, using their growing awareness and desire to communicate.
Signalong was originally developed to support children with identified speech, language, and communication needs. If it later becomes clear that your child needs additional support in this area, having already used Signalong for Babies gives you a valuable head start with a trusted augmentative and alternative communication system.
Signalong for Babies Courses
Signalong for Babies Courses provide a fun and relaxed way to introduce signing to little ones aged six to eighteen months. With small group sizes (a maximum of nine babies, excluding siblings), our Trainers are able to give plenty of individual attention and support to each participant.
The course is delivered over eight weeks, following a structured session plan your Trainer will guide you through. Each session begins with a short relaxation activity to help calm your baby and prepare their hands for signing. And there’s always time for a cuppa and a chat at the end, giving parents and carers space to connect, share, and ask questions.
Each week, you'll learn key signs designed to strengthen the bond with your baby, along with popular nursery rhymes. You’ll also receive learning cards to help you build a vocabulary of 105 signs. As part of the course, you'll have the opportunity to discuss your baby’s milestones and explore early speech, language, and communication needs with your Trainer.
To find out more about an upcoming Signalong for Babies course, take a look at Our Trainers to see who’s local to you, and send them an email to enquire directly.