Teaching sign language to babies and toddlers is an excellent way to help them communicate when words are not yet learned to express what is needed and YouTube has a wealth of videos to help parents teach their children how to sign.
Depending upon what the learning style is of the little one, there are a variety of methods on YouTube aimed at teaching signing. From music to babies and toddlers signing, ASL teachers, and more, there are many methods for children to learn to sign from. And this is beneficial for not only parents to know what their babies and toddlers are trying to communicate, but will cut down on frustration levels of little ones when they have an ability, other than verbal communication to express what they want.
Here are the best YouTube videos to teach your baby or toddler sign language.
7 Patty Shukla Kids TV
Babies and toddlers are very drawn to music. As such, this sign language video from Patty Shukla Kids TV will be something that little ones will not be able to take their eyes off of.
This video has just over a dozen different words that will be introduced to children, all of which apply to everyday life. This is done through Shukla singing and signing to children with a variety of colorful backgrounds.
While babies may not pick up on the words the first time through, toddlers will likely know a few with the first viewing. Then, with consistency, not only through watching the video but practice at home, these words will become second nature regardless of age.
6 Pocket Preschool
Another group that uses songs to teach sign language is Pocket Preschool. Cartoon characters are used this time around, however, versus that of one person singing, to teach a variety of useful signs that babies and toddlers can use daily.
The songs are catchy, almost having a nursery rhyme feel, and will hold a little one's attention for the entire video, depending upon the age of the child. It is an informative and fun video to watch.
5 We McLaughlins
For those who want to be more hands-on and try to teach sign language to their baby or toddler on their own versus sticking their little one in front of a screen, Shannon McLaughlin breaks down 10 common signs that are extremely useful for children to use in their daily lives.
McLaughlin is a professional ASL interpreter and not only demonstrates to the audience how to sign but she also shows how her baby has picked up on the signs so that he can communicate with his family, though he has not mastered speaking verbally due to his age. It is a very informative video and babies may like watching a little one who looks like them, sign away like a pro.
4 Hapa Family
In a video that many parents with more than one child will be able to relate to, Ashley Hapa explains to parents how she was able to teach her baby sign language so that she was better able to communicate with her family.
This video will touch on a few signs that Hapa's daughter uses daily to communicate and how to do them. It is more of a video, however, that will help parents see how they can teach sign language throughout the busy day with multiple children, and that with consistency, as seen by Hapa's daughter sign, many signs can be learned.
3 So Sallyo
For those who want to learn how to teach sign language to their babies or toddlers and have questions as to why it is an important way of communication to teach to little ones, So Sallyo brings all of that to the table with this video.
Not only does the sign language expert from dandy development breakdown how sign language helps decrease frustration in a baby or toddler by having another way to communicate, but she also touches on how it helps a little one with speech, raises IQ levels, and more.
During this video, nine simple words are taught, which parents will then need to relay to their baby or toddler. But, the expert also shows techniques, other than just signing, to engage children to learn, which may help them learn the words faster.
2 Taylor Raine
While this video from Taylor Raine is geared towards teaching parents how to sign to their babies, babies will love to watch it because it presents babies signing in different situations that will hold their attention.
Outside of teaching some basic signs to parents, Raine goes into when it is best to start to teach a baby sign language as well as what sign language has done as far as helping her communicate with her son and in turn, her son with her.
1 Monta Briant
This video from Monta Briant shows babies and toddlers signing basic signs. It can be used for those little ones who already have a bit of a background with ASL and want to practice with peers. It shows how ASL is used in everyday situations and what it looks like when a child signs to his parents or siblings.
Source: Patty Shukla Kids TV, Pocket Preschool, We McLaughlins, Hapa Family, So Sallyo, Taylor Raine, Monta Briant
NEXT: The Pros & Cons Of Teaching Your Little One Baby Sign Language