Print Signs to help you and baby
learn Australian Sign

---

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 bib Also used to sign: How to perform sign: With elbows raised, both hands point to chest. Move along chest, outwards then upwards to draw a bib Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA biscuit Also used to sign: How to perform sign: With hand in fist and thumb extended draw a circle on the back of other hand Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD biscuit Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Tap elbow into palm of other hand twice Usage Notes: Based on the breaking of hard biscuits during the Depression States where this sign is used: NT TAS SA VIC WA bottle Also used to sign: How to perform sign: With both hands cupped, one on the other, move top hand upwards, as though sliding up a bottle Usage Notes: Also used to sign cylinder and tins States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA bottle-feeding Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Main hand is palm up with pointer and index fingers curved upwards. Move this hand towards your other hand, which is slightly cupped as though holding babies head. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA breastfeed Also used to sign: How to perform sign: With a "bent hand" touch breast gently with fingertips three times. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: 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 cot Also used to sign: How to perform sign: With both hands flat, facing each other and slightly apart, thumb curved in as through holding the cot bars, move hand down to form two cot bars 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 dirty Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Rub spread hands, palms facing, together in a circle. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA doll Also used to sign: How to perform sign: With elbow resting in opposite palm, rotate fist (palm facing you) back and forth, to represent dolls head. 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 dummy Also used to sign: How to perform sign: With pointer finger and thumb forming a circle, all other fingers extended, move hand to lips. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA 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 daddy Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Tap extended pointer and index fingers of both hands together twice. Usage Notes: Young children often do this with pointer fingers only. States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA finish Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Tilt fist, with thumb raised and pointing upwards, from side to side. Usage Notes: 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 highchair Also used to sign: How to perform sign: First move hand, palm facing your head and fingers horizontal, upwards. Then bring this hand to chest height against other hand, which is flat fingers upwards, to form the shape of a chair. Usage Notes: Blend of high + chair States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA home Also used to sign: How to perform sign: With palm facing forward and fingers curved forward, move hand forward in an arch. 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 hands in front of chest, as though hugging yourself. Usage Notes: Sometimes used for teddy and doll States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA 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: kiss Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Tap hands together twice with fingers and thumb touching. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA 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 more Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Hold hand clawed, palm towards chest. Move hand forward, away from chest slightly. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA RealPlayer, MediaPlayer mummy Also used to sign: How to perform sign: With little finger and thumb folded into palm tap head with fingers. May also be signed with a flat hand. Usage Notes: Also see alternative sign "Mother" 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 no Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Shake fist (palm facing down) at wrist left and right twice; while shaking head left and right also. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: no Also used to sign: How to perform sign: With pointer fingertip and thumb tip touching, all other fingers pointing upwards and palm forward, hand at shoulder height, shake hand left and right 2 or more times. Usage Notes: This is a variation of No more popular in Melbourne. Also signed with hand in a fist. States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA no Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Shake fist (palm facing down) at wrist left and right twice. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA play Also used to sign: How to perform sign: With both hands spread, palms facing upwards, at waist height, move each hand in outwards circles. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA RealPlayer, MediaPlayer playpen Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Move both hands, palms up, in a circle at waist height. Then move flat hands, one palm in other out, downwards in front of chest. Usage Notes: Combination of Play + Cot States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA please Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Start with hand flat, fingertips touching chin. Move hand forward while curling fingers into palm. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA RealPlayer, MediaPlayer sick Also used to sign: How to perform sign: While other hand points forward at waist, tap pointer fingertip to forehead and then bring downwards to tap against your other pointer finger. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA sleep Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Starting with hand flat near eye, fingers pointing up, thumb forward. Close fingers to thumb. May be done with one or both hands. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA RealPlayer, MediaPlayer sorry Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Clawed hand, palm towards face, is shaken forwards and backwards at the side of face. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: sorry Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Shake clawed hand, palm facing you, across mouth twice. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA stop Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Hold flat hand in front of you, fingers upwards, palm out Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA RealPlayer, MediaPlayer story Also used to sign: How to perform sign: With right hand flat at chest height, palm facing you; slide other hand, palm facing you, down palm and forearm. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA teddy bear Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Point to head with both hands and draw ears Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA RealPlayer, MediaPlayer 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 toilet Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Tap the blade of flat hand (palm facing your chest) with pointer finger tip twice. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA toys Also used to sign: How to perform sign: Start with hand in fist, palm facing away from you, thumb extended and pointer finger arched over thumb. Draw hand down, twisting palm towards you, and extending little finger and thumb. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA 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 what Also used to sign: How to perform sign: With pointer finger pointing upwards, palm forward, shake finger side to side, keeping wrist still. Usage Notes: States where this sign is used: ACT NSW NT QLD TAS SA VIC WA where? Also used to sign: How to perform sign: With flat hands in front of you at your sides, palms up, move hands left and right slightly. May be done with one hand. Usage Notes: 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