Understanding baby sign language feelings chart is essential for anyone interested in baby and toddler sign language. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know, from basic concepts to advanced strategies. By the end of this article, you’ll have the knowledge to make informed decisions and take effective action.
Table of Contents
- When to Introduce Emotion Signs to Babies and Toddlers
- Integrating Feelings Signs Into Daily Routines
- What Happens as Children Begin Speaking
- Understanding Baby Sign Language Feelings Chart
- Conclusion
When to Introduce Emotion Signs to Babies and Toddlers
The developmental window for introducing emotion signs follows the same timeline as other baby signs. Babies can start paying attention to signs by 4 months old, making this an appropriate time for parents to begin modeling emotion signs during natural interactions. Most babies begin producing signs themselves by 8 to 10 months old, though this varies widely among individual children. Emotion signs often come slightly later than basic need signs like “milk” or “more” because they require more abstract thinking. A baby learns the sign for milk through repeated association with a concrete, immediate need. Emotions, by contrast, are internal states that require the child to recognize what they are feeling before communicating it. Many parents find success introducing emotion signs around the same time as early vocabulary, then expanding the emotional vocabulary as the child becomes more sophisticated. If your child is already 12 or 14 months old and you have not yet introduced signs, there is no disadvantage to starting later. Toddlers often pick up signs quickly because their cognitive development allows them to make connections faster than younger babies. However, you should also be aware that toddlers may begin transitioning to verbal communication soon after learning signs, which is a normal and positive progression. ## Core Emotion Signs Every Feelings Chart Should Include The foundation of any feelings chart includes the six emotions children experience most frequently. Happy is typically signed by brushing both hands upward on the chest in a circular motion. Sad involves drawing the fingers down the face to represent tears falling. Angry uses a claw-like hand pulled away from the face to show intensity. Scared involves both hands pushing outward from the chest as if recoiling. Tired is signed by placing both hands on the chest with palms facing inward and letting them fall downward. Hurt involves touching the two index fingers together while twisting them slightly. Beyond these basics, the signs for frustrated and excited offer valuable additions as children encounter more complex emotional situations. Frustrated captures the feeling of wanting something and not being able to achieve it, which is perhaps the most common experience for preverbal children. Many tantrums stem directly from this frustration gap between desire and capability. A specific example: An 11-month-old trying to stack blocks becomes increasingly upset when they keep falling. If the parent has taught the frustrated sign, they can model it while narrating, “The blocks keep falling. That feels frustrating.” Over time, the child learns to sign frustrated instead of throwing the blocks, giving the parent an opportunity to help problem-solve.
## Where to Find Free Baby Sign Language Feelings Charts Several reputable sources offer free printable feelings charts online. BabySignLanguage.com provides a wall chart featuring 17 basic signs available as a downloadable PDF. Stories by Hand offers free printable Feelings Signs PDFs specifically designed for emotional vocabulary. Teachers Pay Teachers hosts free ASL emotions coloring sheets and posters, which combine learning with an engaging activity. Twinkl offers ASL Emotions Charts with pictures specifically designed for young children. When choosing between resources, consider whether you want a chart based on American Sign Language or modified baby signs. ASL-based charts use the same signs the deaf community uses, which means your child’s signs will translate directly if they continue learning ASL or encounter signing individuals. Modified baby signs may be simpler for small hands but will not be recognized outside your home. Neither approach is definitively better, but consistency matters. Choose one approach and stick with it across all your learning materials. A practical tradeoff to consider: Coloring sheet versions from Teachers Pay Teachers require your child to color the signs, which creates engagement but takes time and may result in a less visually clear chart. Pre-made poster versions are immediately usable but may not engage your child as actively. Some parents print both, using the coloring sheets as an activity and the finished posters as reference tools. ## Common Challenges When Using a Feelings Chart One significant limitation of feelings charts is that young children may not yet have the emotional awareness to accurately identify what they are feeling. An 8-month-old may know they feel bad but cannot distinguish between tired, hungry, scared, and frustrated. Using the chart requires parents to make educated guesses and model signs while observing the child’s reaction, rather than expecting children to spontaneously sign their emotions. Another challenge is that emotional moments are often the worst times to introduce new learning. When a child is in the middle of a meltdown, their stress response limits their ability to process new information. The chart works best as a teaching tool during calm moments and as a reference tool during mild emotional fluctuations. During intense distress, parents should focus on regulation and comfort first, then revisit the signing opportunity once the child has calmed. Some parents become discouraged when their child does not seem to connect with the feelings chart. If this happens, step back and ensure you are using emotion signs consistently throughout the day during natural emotional moments, not just when problems arise. The chart reinforces signs the child is already learning through daily interaction. A chart alone, without regular modeling, will not teach signs effectively.
Integrating Feelings Signs Into Daily Routines
The most effective approach to teaching emotion signs involves narrating feelings throughout normal activities rather than conducting separate learning sessions. When reading books, pause to sign the emotions characters display. When playing, sign excited when something fun happens or frustrated when a toy does not work as expected. During transitions, acknowledge the child’s feelings by signing while you talk.
For example, before leaving the playground, a parent might say and sign: “I see you’re having fun. You might feel sad when we leave. We can say goodbye to the slide.” This approach normalizes emotional vocabulary and gives children repeated exposure to signs in context. Children see that emotions are a normal part of life and that there are specific ways to communicate about them.
What Happens as Children Begin Speaking
As children develop verbal language, typically between 12 and 24 months, they naturally begin transitioning from signs to words. No studies have found that signing delays verbal communication development, so parents should not worry that continuing to use signs will hold back speech. Many children use signs and words simultaneously during this transition period, sometimes signing a word they cannot yet pronounce clearly or using signs to add emphasis to verbal statements.
The emotional vocabulary built through signing often transfers to verbal language. Children who learned signs for emotions may use feeling words earlier in their verbal development because they already understand the concepts. Parents can support this transition by continuing to model both signs and words, gradually shifting emphasis to verbal expression as the child’s speech becomes clearer.
Understanding Baby Sign Language Feelings Chart
This topic is fundamental to baby and toddler sign language. Grasping the core concepts helps you make better decisions and avoid common pitfalls. Taking time to understand the basics provides a strong foundation for more advanced knowledge.
- The basics of baby sign language feelings chart and why they matter
- How baby sign language feelings chart relates to broader baby and toddler sign language topics
- Common misconceptions to avoid
Conclusion
A baby sign language feelings chart serves as a practical reference tool for teaching preverbal children to communicate about emotions. Starting around 8 months, when most babies develop the dexterity to produce signs, parents can introduce core emotion signs like happy, sad, tired, scared, and frustrated. Free printable charts are available from sources including BabySignLanguage.com, Stories by Hand, Teachers Pay Teachers, and Twinkl.
While research suggests that signing gives parents a useful window into their children’s minds and may reduce parental stress, parents should approach these tools as practical communication aids. The primary benefit is immediate: helping a child who cannot yet speak express their internal experiences. Success depends less on the chart itself and more on consistent daily modeling of emotion signs during natural interactions throughout the day.