Infants are introduced to signs that will be meaningful during mealtime.
Infants are introduced to signs that will be meaningful during mealtime.
What you'll need
- Eat, More, All Done, Milk, and Water Sign Language Cards (see Resources)
Step by step
Step 1
Mealtime is a meaningful time to introduce sign language to infants. Introduce and review the signs for eat, more, all done, milk, and water during mealtimes. Refer to the Sign Language Cards for help with making the signs (see Resources).
Step 2
Always use the words when you introduce the signs. Infants will likely use the signs first, then use word approximations with the signs, and then eventually the full word. Each child's time frame for this will be different, as children become verbal at different times.
Playful questions
Do you like to eat and make your tummy full? Yes!
What is the sign for milk? Can you make the sign with your hands? Show me!
Learning outcomes
Language/Literacy
Receptive Language (Listening)
Listens and responds with interest to sounds and verbal communication of others; watches and responds to body language, gestures, and other forms of nonverbal communication.
Language/Literacy
Expressive Language (Speaking)
Uses and imitates sounds, gestures, or signs to express needs and wants.
Begins making specific sounds, gestures, facial expressions to communicate.