Explaining to Curious Onlookers Why your Child Signs

As a parent, you’ve taken the lifelong role of handling questions with grace: “When are you due?” “Have you picked a name?” “What schools is she applying to?”

And, if you’ve opted to use sign language with your child, “why are you using your hands to talk?” Ambassadors like you are important: Friendly, well-informed word of mouth (or hand) is one of the biggest reasons why baby signing has reached such a hot mainstream status.

Spectators are naturally drawn to the novelty of deaf-on-deaf signing, and even more so when they see babies or young children signing. Here is a good “elevator speech” reply script:

“Thanks for asking! I’m glad you noticed, because we love to use sign language with (name). We started for a few reasons. First, we wanted to communicate before he starts talking. Secondly, it’s too early for piano, but this is a brain-boosting activity. And lastly, we have a neighbor with a deaf child – this is a fun opportunity to set up some ‘play dates.’”

You might get a request for examples of signs. Showing the basics (“milk,” “more,” and “Mom”) just might get curious onlookers motivated to try signing with the young children in their life!