Baby sign language apps give parents a practical, low-cost way to start teaching signs at home, with most offering video demonstrations of common words like “milk,” “more,” and “all done” that babies as young as six months can begin to learn. The best options right now include Baby Sign and Learn, which supports five sign language dialects and comes recommended by speech therapists, and ASL Kids, where children aged one to twelve serve as the instructors for a one-time fee of $3.49. These apps won’t replace face-to-face interaction, but they serve as a useful reference tool when you forget how to sign “banana” at the dinner table. The research behind baby signing is genuinely encouraging.
A landmark 2000 study by Acredolo, Goodwyn, and Brown involving 96 children found that sign-trained children showed statistically higher receptive and expressive language outcomes at 15, 19, and 24 months compared to verbal-only and control groups. A follow-up at age eight found those same children had IQs averaging 12 points higher than non-signing peers. The app market has responded to this demand. The global sign language apps market was valued at USD 7.86 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 14.18 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.80 percent. This article breaks down the top baby sign language apps by features and pricing, examines what the research actually says and where it has limits, and offers practical guidance on choosing an app that fits your family’s needs and budget.
Table of Contents
- Which Baby Sign Language Apps Are Worth Downloading?
- What the Research Says About Baby Signing and Language Development
- How Baby Sign Language Apps Actually Teach Signs
- Free Apps vs. Paid Subscriptions: What Makes Sense for Your Family
- Common Pitfalls When Using Baby Sign Language Apps
- When to Start Using a Baby Sign Language App
- Where Baby Sign Language Apps Are Headed
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Which Baby Sign Language Apps Are Worth Downloading?
The app landscape for baby sign language splits roughly into two categories: apps built specifically for babies and toddlers, and broader ASL learning platforms that happen to include beginner content. For parents of infants, the dedicated baby apps tend to be more useful. Baby Sign and Learn stands out for its multi-dialect support, covering ASL, Auslan, BSL, HKSL, and NZSL, which makes it one of the few options for families outside the United States. Baby Sign Dictionary offers around 340 signs with over an hour of video instruction in its full version. My Signing Time, from the creators of the popular Signing Time video series, runs on a monthly or yearly auto-renewing subscription model and brings a familiar brand to the app format. For families who want something more structured, broader platforms like Lingvano offer premium ASL instruction at $17.99 per month, $47.99 per quarter, or $119.99 per year.
Ace ASL comes in cheaper at $3.99 per month or $9.99 per year. These are geared more toward adults learning full ASL rather than parents picking up baby-friendly keyword signs, so they may be overkill if your goal is simply to communicate with your 14-month-old about snacks and bedtime. The sweet spot for most parents is one of the baby-specific apps paired with a free YouTube channel for supplemental learning. A word of caution: pricing and availability shift frequently. Apps that were free last year may have moved to subscription models, and some older apps haven’t been updated for current operating systems. Always check the last update date in the app store before downloading.
What the Research Says About Baby Signing and Language Development
The strongest evidence in favor of baby sign language comes from the Acredolo, Goodwyn, and Brown study published in 2000. That research tracked 96 children and found measurable gains in both receptive and expressive language for the signing group at 15, 19, and 24 months. Additional research from the INSIGHT study has linked signing with fewer tantrums, better language skills in toddlerhood, and improved social-emotional development. These are not trivial benefits for families navigating the frustration-heavy months between when a child understands language and when they can reliably produce it. However, parents should know that measured advantages tend to level off by age two. Non-signing children generally catch up in language skills once their verbal abilities kick in.
This does not mean signing was pointless, as those early months of reduced frustration and improved communication have real value for both parent and child, but it does mean signing is not a permanent cognitive accelerator. The follow-up study showing a 12-point IQ advantage at age eight is frequently cited, but it came from a single research group and has not been independently replicated at the same scale. Baby signing does not cause language delays. This is a persistent myth that the research has consistently debunked. Children who sign are not substituting gestures for speech. They are building a bridge to verbal communication, and the signs naturally drop away as spoken words become easier.
How Baby Sign Language Apps Actually Teach Signs
Most baby sign language apps rely on video demonstrations featuring real people or animated characters rather than static images. This matters because sign language is inherently spatial and dynamic. A still photo of someone forming the sign for “more” misses the tapping motion that makes the sign recognizable. Apps like ASL Kids use children aged one to twelve as instructors, which has the added benefit of showing parents what signing actually looks like when performed by small hands with limited fine motor control. common features across the top apps include flashcards, interactive quizzes, and category-based sign browsing organized by topics like food, animals, emotions, and daily routines. The target age range for baby-specific apps is generally six months to three years.
Most of these apps teach keyword signs, meaning essential everyday words, rather than full ASL grammar. This is an important distinction. What your baby learns through these apps is a simplified communication system, not a complete language. For families with Deaf or hard-of-hearing members, a dedicated ASL curriculum would be more appropriate than a baby signing app. One practical example: a parent using Baby Sign and Learn might pull up the “mealtime” category at breakfast, review the signs for “eat,” “drink,” “more,” and “all done,” and then practice those signs with their child during the meal. The app functions as a reference guide rather than a standalone teaching tool.
Free Apps vs. Paid Subscriptions: What Makes Sense for Your Family
The pricing models across baby sign language apps vary widely, and the most expensive option is not necessarily the best fit. Baby Sign and Learn offers a free version with a paid upgrade, giving parents a chance to test the interface before committing. ASL Kids charges a one-time $3.49 fee for full access, which is among the most affordable options on the market. On the other end, Lingvano runs $119.99 per year for its premium tier, and My Signing Time uses auto-renewing subscriptions that can add up quickly if you forget to cancel. The tradeoff between free and paid apps usually comes down to content depth and ad experience. Free versions tend to include a limited sign vocabulary, sometimes as few as 30 to 50 signs, with ads filling the gaps.
Paid versions or one-time purchase apps typically unlock the full library and remove distractions. For a parent who just wants to learn 20 basic signs to use at mealtimes and bedtime, a free app is perfectly adequate. For a parent who wants to build a vocabulary of several hundred signs and track their child’s progress, the paid tiers offer meaningfully more content. Baby Sign Dictionary’s full version, with roughly 340 signs, represents the upper end of what baby-specific apps provide. iOS is currently the fastest-growing platform segment for sign language apps, driven by higher user engagement and loyalty, so iPhone and iPad users tend to have the widest selection. Android users still have solid options, particularly My Signing Time on Google Play, but may find fewer baby-specific titles.
Common Pitfalls When Using Baby Sign Language Apps
The biggest mistake parents make with signing apps is treating them as a replacement for real interaction. An app can show you how to form a sign, but your baby learns by watching you use that sign in context, repeatedly, over days and weeks. Sitting a baby in front of a screen to watch signing videos is not the same as signing “milk” every time you offer a bottle. The app is a dictionary, not a teacher. Another common issue is starting too many signs at once. Parents sometimes get excited, download an app, and try to introduce 15 signs in a single day.
Most speech therapists recommend starting with three to five high-motivation signs, words like “more,” “eat,” “milk,” and “all done,” and adding new ones only after the child shows recognition of the initial set. Overloading a six-month-old with dozens of signs leads to parental burnout more than baby confusion. Watch out for apps that haven’t been updated recently. The private users segment holds the largest market share in the sign language apps space, driven by individuals learning for personal or family use, which means developers have financial incentive to keep apps current. But smaller, independent apps may languish without updates, leading to crashes, compatibility issues, or outdated content. Check reviews and update history before purchasing.
When to Start Using a Baby Sign Language App
Most experts and app developers target the six-month mark as the starting point for introducing signs, though babies typically won’t sign back until eight to twelve months old. The gap between introduction and production is normal and can be frustrating. A parent might sign “milk” for two months before their baby first attempts it back.
During that waiting period, the app is mainly useful for the parent, serving as a refresher for sign vocabulary and motivation to keep going. A specific scenario where apps shine: a parent learns a handful of signs before the baby is born, practices them during the early months, and then uses the app to expand vocabulary as the child starts signing back around ten months. By that point, the child may be ready for new signs faster than the parent can remember them, and having an app with categorized, searchable video content saves time compared to flipping through a book or searching the internet.
Where Baby Sign Language Apps Are Headed
The sign language apps market’s projected growth to USD 14.18 billion by 2031 suggests that the category will continue to expand, with more competition likely driving better features and lower prices. Expect to see more apps incorporating AI-driven sign recognition, where a phone’s camera evaluates whether a parent or child is forming a sign correctly. Some platforms are already experimenting with this technology for adult ASL learners, and it is only a matter of time before it reaches baby signing apps.
The broader trend is toward integration. Rather than standalone signing apps, parents may eventually find baby sign language modules built into general parenting apps, pediatric telehealth platforms, or early intervention tools. For now, the dedicated apps remain the most focused and practical option for families who want to start signing with their babies.
Conclusion
Baby sign language apps are a convenient, affordable tool for parents who want to communicate with their infants before spoken language develops. The research supports genuine short-term benefits, including better early language outcomes, fewer tantrums, and stronger social-emotional skills, even if those advantages tend to even out by age two. The best apps, like Baby Sign and Learn for its multi-dialect support or ASL Kids for its low one-time cost, function as video dictionaries that parents reference alongside real-world practice.
The key is treating these apps as what they are: a supplement to hands-on signing with your child, not a substitute. Start with a few high-motivation signs around six months, use the app to learn and refresh your own vocabulary, and add new signs gradually as your baby begins to respond. The technology will keep improving, but the fundamentals remain the same. Your baby learns to sign by watching you sign, not by watching a screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should I start using a baby sign language app?
Most apps and experts recommend introducing signs around six months of age. Babies typically will not sign back until eight to twelve months, so the initial period is primarily for parents to learn and practice the signs themselves.
Will teaching my baby sign language delay their speech?
No. Research has consistently shown that baby signing does not cause language delays. Sign-trained children in the Acredolo, Goodwyn, and Brown study actually showed higher language scores than non-signing peers at 15, 19, and 24 months.
Do I need to learn full ASL to use a baby sign language app?
No. Baby sign language apps teach keyword signs, essential everyday words like “more,” “eat,” and “help,” rather than full ASL grammar. You are learning a simplified communication tool, not a complete language.
Are free baby sign language apps good enough?
For parents who want to learn 20 to 50 basic signs, free apps or low-cost options like ASL Kids at $3.49 are perfectly adequate. Paid subscriptions like Lingvano at $119.99 per year are better suited for adults learning comprehensive ASL.
Which app works best for non-ASL sign languages?
Baby Sign and Learn is the standout option, supporting five sign language dialects: ASL, Auslan, BSL, HKSL, and NZSL. Most other baby signing apps focus exclusively on ASL.
How many signs should I start with?
Begin with three to five high-motivation signs such as “milk,” “more,” “eat,” and “all done.” Add new signs only after your child shows recognition of the initial set, which may take several weeks of consistent use.