5 First Signs That Reduce Frustration and Build Communication for Young Children

Vielka Montout
Mar 23
2 min read

A toddler points.

They reach.

They cry.

They know what they want.

You are trying to understand.

This moment happens in almost every home with young children. It happens in classrooms too. When children do not yet have the words they need, frustration grows quickly.

Signs give children another way to communicate while speech is still developing.

Why Early Signs Help

Research in early language development shows that children benefit from having access to communication tools before speech is fully established. Signing allows children to express needs, emotions, and ideas using their hands while spoken language continues to grow.

For Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, visual language is essential for access. For hearing children, signs support early communication and reduce frustration.

Language access early in life supports stronger vocabulary development, social interaction, and confidence in communication.

Source: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 2023.

https://www.nidcd.nih.gov

Five Signs to Start With

Children use this during meals, play, and activities.

EAT

Helps children communicate hunger and mealtime needs.

HELP

Encourages children to ask for assistance instead of becoming frustrated.

FRIEND

Supports social connection and helps children communicate about the people around them.

LOVE

Builds connection and emotional communication.

When these signs become part of daily routines, children begin to recognize that their communication matters.

What This Looks Like at Home

Choose one routine each day.

For example, during snack time:

Show the food.
Say the word eat.
Make the sign.
Repeat the sign each time the child asks for more.

Consistency helps children connect the movement, the word, and the meaning.

Over time, many children begin to imitate the signs themselves.

What This Looks Like in Classrooms

Teachers and SLPs can introduce signs during:

morning circle
snack time
transitions
storytime

Signs paired with visual cues and repetition support all learners, including multilingual students and students with communication delays.

Try This Activity

Ask your child or students to practice signing more and help today.

Model the sign every time the situation occurs. Children learn through repetition and meaningful use.

Connecting to Books

Books can make signs easier to remember. When children see signs used within stories and everyday moments, they understand that signing is a natural part of communication.

In Little Signs, Big Smiles, each page introduces a meaningful sign paired with a simple rhyme and illustration. Families and teachers often use the book during daily routines to reinforce early communication.