Yes, baby sign language is generally beneficial for toddlers, though the evidence is more nuanced than popular claims suggest. The American Academy of Pediatrics approves simple sign language with infants and toddlers, stating it can break down communication barriers and build positive parent-child interaction. Research by Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn found that children in families using signs had better language skills than control groups on average, and a follow-up study showed IQ advantages persisting into second grade. For a toddler who knows exactly what she wants but lacks the verbal skills to say it””picture a 14-month-old desperately pointing at her sippy cup while crying””having the sign for “drink” can transform a meltdown into a simple request. However, parents should approach baby sign language with realistic expectations.
A literature review of 17 studies found that while benefits were reported in 13 studies, methodological weaknesses leave the evidence unsupported. Some researchers have concluded that most reports lack methodological rigor and provide little evidence that prelingual signing is definitively beneficial, harmful, or harmless. The honest answer is that baby sign language appears helpful for most families, particularly in reducing frustration during the challenging 8-month to 2-year window, but it is not a guaranteed intelligence booster or developmental shortcut. This article examines what the research actually shows about baby sign language for toddlers, when to start, which children benefit most, and how to set appropriate expectations. We will also address common concerns, including whether signing delays speech development.
Table of Contents
- What Does Research Say About Baby Sign Language Benefits for Toddlers?
- When Should You Start Teaching Sign Language to Your Toddler?
- Does Baby Sign Language Help Special Populations More Than Others?
- How Does Baby Sign Language Affect Long-Term Development?
- Will Baby Sign Language Delay My Toddler’s Speech?
- What Signs Should You Teach Your Toddler First?
- What Is the Future of Baby Sign Language Research?
- Conclusion
What Does Research Say About Baby Sign Language Benefits for Toddlers?
The research on baby sign language presents a mixed but generally positive picture. According to the Mayo Clinic, baby sign language can ease frustration between ages 8 months and 2 years””the period when children understand far more than they can verbally express. Research shows parents who use signs with their babies experience less stress and frustration, and are more affectionate with their babies. This improvement in parent-child dynamics may be as valuable as any direct cognitive benefit. On the language development front, research by Meredith Rowe and Susan Goldin-Meadow studying 52 typically developing children found that the number of concepts children represented through gestures at 18 months predicted their vocabulary at 42 months. Children can produce their first recognizable sign at a mean age of 8.5 months, with the earliest at 5.5 months””several months before most babies say their first words.
This communication head start appears genuine. However, Kirk et al. found children who participated in baby sign had similar language development to children who did not learn baby sign. The studies supporting baby sign language have been relatively small””the NIH-funded study had only 100 babies. Some researchers suggest it may be the joint attention stimulated by baby sign, not the signs themselves, that facilitates language development. In other words, any activity that gets parents interacting face-to-face with their babies might produce similar results.
When Should You Start Teaching Sign Language to Your Toddler?
The AAP recommends starting around 6 months old, when most babies are developmentally ready to imitate gestures. Starting earlier is not harmful, but babies typically lack the motor control and cognitive development to sign back before this age. Think of it like tummy time””you can begin the practice before babies are ready to respond, building the foundation for later success. Babies typically start signing back between 10-14 months, though some respond as early as 8-9 months.
This timeline means parents often spend 4-8 months signing without receiving signs in return, which can feel discouraging. The key is consistency during this “silent period.” A father teaching his 7-month-old the sign for “milk” at every feeding may not see results for months, but when that baby finally signs “milk” at 11 months while hungry, the investment pays off. If your toddler is already 15 or 18 months old and speaking some words, baby sign language can still be useful””particularly for concepts your child understands but cannot yet pronounce. However, the window of maximum benefit narrows as verbal skills develop. For toddlers already producing 50 or more words, the frustration-reduction benefits diminish significantly since they have other ways to communicate.
Does Baby Sign Language Help Special Populations More Than Others?
One of the most compelling findings comes from Kirk et al. (2012), who found that children who were “low-ability”””linguistically behind their peers””showed a large increase in ability after signing. This suggests baby sign language may provide particular benefits for children with weaker language skills, offering them an alternative communication pathway while verbal abilities catch up. Head Start, the U.S. federal program serving low-income families, supports teaching American Sign Language to infants and toddlers.
This endorsement reflects both the accessibility of signing (it requires no special equipment or expense) and the potential for leveling developmental playing fields. For children in language-delayed households or those with hearing difficulties in family members, signing provides an additional communication channel. For typically developing toddlers in language-rich environments, the benefits may be more modest. If a child hears thousands of words daily, receives responsive caregiving, and has ample opportunity for verbal interaction, baby sign language adds value but may not dramatically accelerate development. The research suggests signing is most powerful as an intervention for those who need it most, rather than an optimization for those already thriving.
How Does Baby Sign Language Affect Long-Term Development?
The long-term research offers intriguing but not definitive results. Acredolo and Goodwyn’s follow-up study found that IQ advantages persisted even years later when children were in second grade. This suggests the benefits of early signing may extend beyond the toddler years, though critics note the study’s small sample size and potential confounding variables. More recent research from February 2025 suggests baby sign language increases children’s development of early literacy skills, including letter recognition and phonemic awareness. The proposed mechanism is that signing increases children’s attention to communication and symbolic representation, skills that transfer to reading readiness.
A toddler who learns that a hand movement represents “dog” may more easily grasp that letter shapes represent sounds. The tradeoff worth considering is time investment. Teaching baby sign language requires consistent effort over many months. For families already stretched thin, the question becomes whether that time might produce similar benefits if spent on other enrichment activities””reading aloud, responsive conversations, or simply more face-to-face interaction. The research has not clearly established that signing outperforms other high-quality parent-child engagement.
Will Baby Sign Language Delay My Toddler’s Speech?
This common concern has been directly addressed by research: using sign language with hearing babies does not delay speech. Studies consistently show that signing toddlers develop verbal language at the same rate or faster than non-signing peers. The fear that babies will rely on signs instead of words is unfounded””children naturally transition to speech as their verbal abilities develop because spoken language is faster and understood by more people. What parents sometimes observe is a temporary preference for signing over attempting difficult words. A toddler might sign “more” for months before bothering to say it, simply because the sign works and the word is challenging to pronounce.
This is not a delay but a practical communication choice. Once verbal skills mature, children abandon most signs naturally””usually by age 2 or 3. The warning here is for parents who might become so focused on signing that they reduce verbal input. Babies and toddlers need to hear language constantly to develop speech. Always say the word while signing it, and never treat signing as a replacement for talking to your child. Signs should supplement speech, not substitute for it.
What Signs Should You Teach Your Toddler First?
The most practical approach is starting with signs for things your toddler cares about most: milk, more, all done, eat, drink, and help. These high-frequency needs give your child immediate motivation to learn and use signs. A toddler who can sign “help” when stuck is far less likely to dissolve into frustrated tears. For example, “more” is often the first sign babies master because it applies to so many situations””more food, more play, more reading.
The sign is simple (fingertips touching repeatedly) and the concept is universal. Once a baby successfully requests “more crackers” and receives them, the power of communication clicks, often accelerating interest in additional signs. Avoid the temptation to teach too many signs at once. Starting with 3-5 high-utility signs and adding more once those are established produces better results than overwhelming a baby with dozens of gestures. Quality of interaction matters more than quantity of vocabulary.
What Is the Future of Baby Sign Language Research?
The field continues to evolve, with researchers working to address the methodological limitations of earlier studies. Larger sample sizes, better control groups, and longer follow-up periods will help clarify which benefits are robust and which are artifacts of small studies or parental enthusiasm.
The emerging focus on early literacy connections, as seen in the February 2025 research, opens new avenues for understanding how gestural communication supports broader cognitive development. As researchers better isolate the mechanisms behind signing benefits””whether joint attention, symbolic thinking, or reduced frustration””parents will be able to make more informed decisions about how to invest their limited time and energy in their toddler’s development.
Conclusion
Baby sign language is good for most toddlers, offering genuine benefits in reducing frustration and potentially supporting language development””though the evidence is less dramatic than marketing materials often suggest. The American Academy of Pediatrics and Head Start endorse the practice, research shows communication and bonding improvements, and studies confirm signing does not delay speech. For toddlers who are linguistically behind their peers, the benefits may be particularly significant.
The practical takeaway is to approach baby sign language as a helpful tool rather than a developmental miracle. Start around 6 months, focus on high-utility signs, always speak while signing, and maintain realistic expectations. If your family enjoys the process and finds it reduces toddler frustration, the practice is worthwhile. If it feels like a chore that competes with other positive interactions, know that responsive talking and reading to your child produces many of the same benefits.