Print Signs to help you and baby
learn Australian Sign

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What is Baby Sign? Baby sign is a term used to describe the introduction of Sign Language to a pre-verbal infant or toddler. It is also, often the first step for parents learning to sign with a child who may not ever be able to communicate orally. A small set of signs are usually adopted forst, based of common objects and terms, that would be familiar to the childs everyday life. In Australia we adopt these from AUSLAN (which stands for AUStralian Sign LANguage). We use Auslan with infants, even if the intention is not to continue signing after the child begins to articuate as it is our indiginous sign language. It is nationally recognised and used within many childcare centers, amongst family day care centers, and of course by sign dependant Australians. By choosing to learn AUSLAN, even at the Baby Sign level, your child will be able to communicate these signs with our AUSLAN users; which may include a deaf child at their childcare or school later in life. Where do you start? Below you will find a list of the most commonly adopted baby signs. Start simple. Select 3-5 signs and introduce them into your daily communication. Then build up from there. Many parents have reported finding household labeling benificial. Use the images below to create your own lables, or download our pre-made ones SOON. PRINT/SAVE THESE SIGNS AS A BOOKLET These are the most commonly adopted Baby Signs Registered Users : click image for enlarged veiw baby Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Move arms as though cradling a baby, back and forth Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA bath Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Move fists on chest one up, the other down, then back down/up, and back again. Usage Notes: Also used to sign wash States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA breast-feed Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Tap breast with pointer and index fingers together. Then move hand into fist with thumb extended, into your other hand which is cupped as though holding babies head. Usage Notes: OLD sign, not commonly used States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA cold Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Shake both fists above shoulders, as though shivering. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA cry Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Point with straight or bent pointer fingers below eyes and move fingers down as if following tears, twice. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA drink Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Move hand up to mouth in a cupped shape, as though holding a cup. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA RealPlayer, MediaPlayer eat Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Move hand, with thumb touching fingers, towards mouth twice. Usage Notes: Also used to sign food States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA RealPlayer, MediaPlayer good Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Point thumb upwards from fist. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA hot Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Start with flat hand, fingers touching chin and thumb extended. Move hand out turning wrist so that hand ends with palm facing forward a small distance in front of shoulder. Can end lower and in the direction of the hot thing. Usage Notes: Hot at in “that’s hot” not as in “I am hot” there is a different sign for that. States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA RealPlayer, MediaPlayer hug Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Cross fists in front of chest and move arms from side to side a little, as though hugging yourself. (head may move from side to side) Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: milk Also used to sign: How to perform sign: As though milking a cow, start with one hand, fingers spread, and draw first hand down and into a fist. Then follow with other hand. Repeat Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA nappy Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Tap pointer and index finger to thumb, with both hands, at hips, where nappy would fasten. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA thank you Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Move flat hand, fingers upwards and palm towards you, from chin, forward in a slight arc. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA RealPlayer, MediaPlayer washwash (an object) Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Rub fingers of fisted hands together. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA wash (your body) Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Move fists on chest up, down and up again. Usage Notes: Also used to sign bath States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA yes Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Tilting at wrist, move fist, palm down, up and down. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA RealPlayer, MediaPlayer