[Jennifer]

I have noticed since I have been using some basic signs in my toddler class thaty.kids can communicate a little better. They are now using the sign and also saying the word to.go with tje sign.

[Trainer]

Great observation, Jennifer! It’s wonderful to see how basic signs enhance communication and encourage language development in your class.

[Ryn]

Using signs in caregiving settings can give students access to language and communication earlier than it would otherwise. I’ve found that especially with infants and toddlers, the more signs they learn the less frequently they’re frustrated as they are able to communicate their needs. They are also able to use these signs when communicating with peers which can leads to fewer conflicts between classmates.

[Trainer]

Great insights, Ryn! Your emphasis on early communication reducing frustration and promoting peer interactions is spot on!

[stephanie trader]

basic signing is helpful communication

[Trainer]

Great point, Stephanie! Basic signing indeed fosters deeper connections and understanding among all children.

[Lisa Linderman]

I used very basic signs with my own child 20ish years ago….more, done, water, please, etc. Although I don’t know for sure, I do think the ability to let us know when they were done eating, or done with an activity/being around other people, or thirsty, or hungry, led to far less frustration than we’d have otherwise experienced and kept outbursts to a minimum. It definitely did not hamper spoken work communication later, and was generally helpful because it’s sometimes easier to understand a basic hand sign than it is to interpret a toddler’s spoken words!

[Trainer]

Great insights, Lisa! Your experience highlights the power of sign language in reducing frustration and enhancing understanding.

[Jen]

As both a mom and a caregiver of infants, I saw first-hand the doors to communication that are opened with infants when you start sign early. Babies are not yet verbal, but can make the connections and learn to communicate through sign. By the time my own child, and the babies I worked with, hit age 1, they were utilizing up to 10 signs per day. I was so grateful that they could communicate with their caregivers as it eliminated frustration for all parties.

[Trainer]

Great insight, Jen! Your experience highlights the power of early sign language in fostering connection and reducing frustration.

[Julie]

I used sign with my infant toddler class and with my son. I started at around 8 months and they would start signing regularly at around 10 months. I feel they were less frustrated and I felt I could meet their needs better because they could communicate.

[Trainer]

Great insight, Julie! Your experience highlights how early sign language fosters understanding and reduces frustration in young children.

[Rachel]

In my own teaching, I have often seen children who are too young to speak communicate with both teachers and their peers through basic sign language. Many children at my center use the signs for ‘more’ and ‘all done’ very regularly. The other day on the playground I watched two 15-month old children interact. One of the children was touching the other child, and that child signed ‘all done’, which prompted the first child to stop touching them and give them space. They were able to communicate and understand each other despite not being able to speak.

[Trainer]

Great observation, Rachel! Your example highlights the power of sign language in fostering understanding and respecting boundaries among young children.

[Terra Frank]

I’ve seen how basic sign language can strengthen communication and connection with both hearing and deaf children. It gives young kids a voice before they can speak, reduces frustration, and helps create a more inclusive environment. I’ve used sign language often with children who are speech delayed and even with infants to help them express simple needs like “more,” “help,” or “milk.”One moment that stands out was when a little boy who struggled with speech learned just a few signs and suddenly became more confident and calm. Being able to express himself changed his entire attitude, he smiled more, engaged with the other children, and started participating in activities he used to avoid. Moments like that remind me how powerful nonverbal communication can be in helping children feel understood and connected.

[Trainer]

Great insights, Terra! Your examples beautifully illustrate the transformative power of sign language in fostering communication and confidence in young children.

[Sofia Salazar]

Using basic sign language is a great way to communicate with children because it allows them to nonverbally communicate their needs, relieves frustration, and enhances cognitive development. I have noticed big growth in the infant and young classrooms during meal time when basic sign is taught

[Trainer]

Great insights, Sofia! Your observations highlight the profound impact of sign language on communication and connection.

[Hygel]

From my own experience, I have seen toddlers feeling more comfortable using basic sign language to communicate with teachers when there is a language barrier. These kids usually learn signing faster than they can learn to speak the new language. So even for hearing kids, signing can be a very useful tool when you don’t have the verbal skills to communicate.

[Trainer]

Great insight, Hygel! Your observation highlights the importance of sign language in bridging communication gaps for all children.

[Shannon]

I starting using basic signs with my son when he was an infant. It reduced the amount of frustration when he wanted certain things, and he wasn’t able to ask for them verbally yet. Milk, more, and up were particularly helpful.

[Trainer]

Great insight, Shannon! Using signs can truly bridge communication gaps and enhance connection with young children.

[Beckie]

I have used sign with our infants to help communicate and have been training the toddler teachers to use it in their room as well to help the toddlers communicate.

[Trainer]

Great job, Beckie! Your initiative to train toddler teachers in sign language will significantly enhance communication and connection.

[Gaby]

My knowledge of sign is very limited, but I do my best to learn more and more as I go, to help give my students another way of communicating when using verbal words is hard. Using sign can open more opportunities for myself and the children to be able to build relationships together, no matter if they are hearing or not. There was a time when I was in the toddler room, and I was serving breakfast. One of the toddlers didn’t really speak, but they had a big appetite. I was serving another child when I noticed their hands moving. I turned and saw they were making the sign for “more”. They were expressing to me that they were still hungry and wanted more food.

[Blythe]

I work with 6 kids, 16-22 months. I started doing sign language with them a few months ago when they started in summer and within a week they were signing back to me. One of the girls in my class doesn’t say any words so I’ve been incorporating that more with her. This age fascinates me because their brains are like sponges! I realize that I need to be more consistent with it but it really helps me communicate with my kids.

[Appollonia Washington]

In my caregiving experience I have seen nonverbal communication make a meaningful difference when a young child was unable to verbally express hunger or discomfort. By using simple signs and observing body language and facial expressions the child was able to communicate their needs more clearly, which helped build trust and reduced frustration. That moment helped reinforce how powerful nonverbal communication can be in creating connection and emotional safety for young children.