The “more” sign in baby sign language is made by bringing both hands together with fingertips touching, tapping them together repeatedly. To perform this sign, hold your hands in front of your chest with all fingertips on each hand pinched together (like you’re holding something small), then tap the fingertips of both hands together two or three times. This sign comes directly from American Sign Language and is one of the earliest and most practical signs babies can learn because it applies to nearly any situation where they want something to continue, whether that’s more food, more play, or more of a favorite song. A nine-month-old who learns “more” during snack time, for example, can tap their hands together instead of screaming when their crackers run out.
This single sign often produces the first “aha” moment for both parent and child, where communication suddenly clicks into place. Parents frequently report that “more” becomes their baby’s most-used sign precisely because of its versatility. This article covers how to teach the “more” sign effectively, when to expect your baby to sign it back, common mistakes that slow down learning, and how to expand from “more” into a broader signing vocabulary. You’ll also find guidance on what to do when babies overuse the sign as a catch-all request.
Table of Contents
- Why Is the “More” Sign Often a Baby’s First Sign?
- When Should You Expect Your Baby to Sign More Back?
- Using More Beyond Mealtime
- What to Do When Your Baby Overuses the More Sign
- Common Mistakes When Teaching the More Sign
- Transitioning From More to a Larger Vocabulary
- The Long-Term Value of Teaching the More Sign
- Conclusion
Why Is the “More” Sign Often a Baby’s First Sign?
The “more” sign ranks among the top three first signs for babies, alongside “milk” and “all done.” Several factors explain this pattern. First, the sign itself involves a simple hand motion that doesn’t require fine motor control. Babies as young as seven or eight months can approximate the movement even before they can point accurately. Second, the concept of “more” is immediately reinforced. When a baby signs “more” and receives another spoonful of applesauce, the cause-and-effect relationship is unmistakably clear. Research from the University of California found that functional signs tied to immediate outcomes were learned faster than abstract signs. A baby who signs “dog” might see the family pet wag its tail, but a baby who signs “more” gets a tangible result handed directly to them. This immediate reinforcement makes “more” stick faster than signs for objects or emotions. However, some babies learn “milk” or “eat” first if those signs are modeled more frequently. The first sign a baby uses reflects which sign parents emphasize most consistently during daily interactions rather than any inherent difficulty in the signs themselves. ## How to Teach the More Sign Step by Step Teaching “more” works best when embedded into activities your baby already enjoys.
During a meal, offer a small portion of a food your baby likes, then wait. When they reach for more or show interest, say “more” while making the sign clearly in their line of sight. Then provide the food. Repeat this pattern every time they want another bite. Consistency matters more than frequency; using the sign predictably during meals builds the association faster than randomly signing throughout the day. Some parents find it helpful to gently guide their baby’s hands through the motion, a technique called hand-over-hand modeling. Place your hands over your baby’s and help them tap their fingertips together while saying “more.” Not all babies tolerate this approach, and if your child resists, simply continue modeling the sign yourself. Forcing the motion can create negative associations. Most babies need to see a sign modeled 50 to 100 times before they attempt it themselves. If you sign “more” during three meals a day with multiple opportunities per meal, your baby might start attempting the sign within two to four weeks. However, if your baby is younger than eight months, motor development may not yet support the hand coordination required, even if they understand the concept.
When Should You Expect Your Baby to Sign More Back?
Babies typically begin signing between eight and twelve months of age, though significant variation exists. A baby who started learning signs at six months might sign “more” at nine months, while a baby who began at ten months might not sign back until closer to their first birthday. The age when instruction begins, the frequency of modeling, and individual developmental timelines all influence when signing emerges. early attempts at “more” often look imprecise. Instead of neat fingertip-to-fingertip contact, babies might clap, bang their fists together, or touch their hands in some approximate way.
These approximations count as signing. The important thing is recognizing your baby’s version and responding to it, which reinforces the communication attempt. Over time, their form will improve as motor skills develop. If your baby has been exposed to the “more” sign consistently for two months without any attempt to reproduce it, consider whether you’re providing enough opportunities for them to use the sign. Some parents model the sign but then give their baby more food before the child has a chance to request it. Creating a brief pause, a moment of expectation, gives your baby the opening to communicate.
Using More Beyond Mealtime
While mealtime provides the most natural context for teaching “more,” the sign’s power comes from its broad applicability. During play, you might push your baby on a swing, then stop and wait. When they kick their legs or squirm for another push, sign “more” before pushing again. Reading books together offers similar opportunities: close the book briefly and wait for them to indicate they want to continue. Bath time, tickle games, music, and outdoor activities all present moments where “more” applies.
A baby who learns that “more” works for crackers at lunch and also works for bubbles in the bathtub grasps the abstract concept underlying the sign. This generalization represents a cognitive leap that benefits their overall communication development. One example: a parent noticed their eleven-month-old signing “more” while looking at the family’s cat. The baby had connected “more” with wanting something to happen again, in this case wanting the cat to come closer after it walked away. While “cat” would be the more specific sign, the baby’s creative use of “more” demonstrated understanding of the sign’s core meaning.
What to Do When Your Baby Overuses the More Sign
A common phase occurs when babies discover that “more” gets results and begin using it for everything. They sign “more” when they want to be picked up, when they want a toy, when they want to go outside, and when they’re simply bored. This overuse is developmentally normal and indicates that your baby understands signs can influence their environment. It’s a communication milestone, even if it temporarily makes “more” less useful for its intended purpose. The solution involves expanding vocabulary rather than discouraging the use of “more.” When your baby signs “more” and you can tell they want something specific, model the appropriate sign.
If they sign “more” while reaching toward the bookshelf, say “You want a book. Book,” and make the sign for book. Over time, they’ll acquire more specific signs and reserve “more” for situations where it actually applies. Avoid ignoring or refusing to respond to the “more” sign when it’s being overused. Doing so can frustrate your baby and undermine their confidence in signing as a communication tool. Instead, respond helpfully while also introducing the correct sign for what they actually want.
Common Mistakes When Teaching the More Sign
The most frequent mistake is inconsistency. Parents who sign “more” enthusiastically for a week and then forget about it during busy days extend the learning period significantly. Babies need repeated, predictable exposure. Another mistake is signing from a position where the baby can’t see your hands clearly. Always sign within your baby’s line of sight, ideally at their eye level or slightly below. Some parents make the sign too quickly or while talking rapidly, which makes it harder for babies to isolate and process.
Slow down, pause, and let the sign stand alone for a moment before continuing. Additionally, giving your baby more of something before they’ve had a chance to sign creates a missed opportunity. Wait two to three seconds after offering the sign to see if your baby attempts it before automatically providing what they want. Finally, expecting perfection too early discourages progress. If your baby claps instead of precisely touching fingertips, respond positively. Any attempt that’s close enough to distinguish from random hand movements should be treated as successful communication.
Transitioning From More to a Larger Vocabulary
Once your baby reliably uses “more,” adding new signs becomes easier because they now understand the concept that hand movements carry meaning. Good signs to introduce next include “all done” (which serves as the opposite of “more”), “eat,” “drink,” and “help.” These functional signs follow the same reinforcement pattern that made “more” successful. When introducing new signs, continue using “more” in appropriate contexts.
Babies don’t replace old signs with new ones; they build a vocabulary where each sign has its place. A baby who knows “more,” “eat,” and “milk” can communicate with surprising specificity. “More eat” or “more milk” combinations may emerge as their signing becomes more sophisticated.
The Long-Term Value of Teaching the More Sign
Learning “more” does more than prevent mealtime frustration. It establishes a foundation for intentional communication that supports language development overall. Studies following children who learned baby sign language found no speech delays; in fact, many showed slightly earlier spoken vocabulary acquisition.
The “more” sign specifically teaches babies that they can influence their environment through symbolic communication, a concept central to all language learning. Parents often describe the moment their baby first signs “more” as transformative. The shift from interpreting cries and body language to receiving a clear, intentional signal changes the parent-child dynamic. That first successful sign, frequently “more,” represents the beginning of genuine two-way communication.
Conclusion
The “more” sign offers an ideal entry point into baby sign language because of its simple motor requirements and immediate practical value. Taught through consistent modeling during meals and play, most babies can learn this sign within a few weeks of focused practice.
The key is creating opportunities for your baby to use the sign and responding positively to their early, imperfect attempts. From “more,” you can build a vocabulary of signs that reduces frustration, strengthens your bond with your baby, and supports their overall communication development. Start by identifying three or four daily moments where “more” naturally applies, commit to signing consistently during those moments, and watch for your baby’s approximation of the sign to emerge.