Week 27: Your baby wants to tell you something—12 best first signs
Your baby loves to communicate with you ❤️ Babies develop receptive language before they learn expressive language. In other words, babies are able to first understand a lot more than they can actually say themselves. Most babies say a first recognizable word around one year old.
Research shows that babies who learn basic sign language develop pathways for communication sooner than they would otherwise. Learning signs may also help your baby feel less frustrated, since they’ll be able to express some of their wants and needs before they can put them into words.
Some babies are able to understand signs when they are as young as 6 months old, but your baby likely won’t have the hand control to sign back until they’re about 8 or 9 months. Babies need time to build up their understanding skills before they can express themselves—first in signs, then later in verbal language.
A couple tips:
- Try to use the signs consistently
- Continue to use the “correct” signs when communicating with your baby, even though they may not be signing back exactly as you are modeling. Their signs will likely change over time and eventually start to look more like yours
Posted in: 7 - 8 Months, Communication, Sign Language, Child Development
Keep reading
0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
0 - 12 Months
The complete guide to baby development milestones
We compiled this expert guide to help you know what to expect for your baby's growth and month-by-month development.
0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
The benefits of bringing your baby outside
Spending time outside is not only enjoyable for babies, it also supports their cognitive and motor development—and may even help them sleep better.
0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
13 - 15 Months
16 - 18 Months
19 - 21 Months
22 - 24 Months
25 - 27 Months
28 - 30 Months
31 - 33 Months
34 - 36 Months
Why wooden toys make the best playthings
Wooden toys are a staple of Montessori learning. They're durable, beautiful, and inspire wonder for a child's budding imagination.
0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
Our simplest activities to do at home with your baby
Running out of new activities for your baby during quarantine? Don't worry! Here are 14 of our favorite simple play ideas for spending time at home.
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
Endless fun with a sensory bag
When you just can't face another major clean-up for the sake of sensory exploration, these bags are a great way to let you little one explore without any mess.
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
Pillow Crawling
If you have a crawler (on average around 8-10 months) that needs more of a challenge, try creating a mountain of pillows. This activity is also great for babies who have skipped crawling or are quickly trying to move past the crawling stage.
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
Animal Rescue Activity
Animals and tape are all you need for this DIY activity for your baby or toddler.
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
7 easy sensory bottle ideas
Sensory bottles excite your baby’s senses and help make connections in their brain and we’ve collected 7 here that are easy to make and mess-free.
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
Nature walk and outdoor treasure box
The world right outside your home is full of opportunities for your baby to learn. Take a stroll around the neighborhood with your baby, enjoy the fresh air, and collect some natural souvenirs for an outdoor treasure box.
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
Easter Egg Play
If you were able to get some Easter eggs this year, or you have some from previous years, you can offer them to your baby to explore. They will like the bright colors, figuring out how they open and close, and watching the different ways the eggs move.
7 - 8 Months
Transformation of Everyday Items
Around 7-9 months, babies begin to notice that some things can change shape. Here are super simple ways to show how everyday items can transform.
7 - 8 Months
Welcome to The Inspector Play Kit for months 7-8
Watch Lovevery CEO Jessica Rolph introduce the Inspector Play Kit for months 7 and 8 of your baby's life.
5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
Lyrics to the best lullabies are here
Here are the lyrics to classic lullabies to sing to your newborn, including Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, You are My Sunshine, and others.
7 - 8 Months
Week 34: Why it’s great to let your baby struggle with the Ball Drop Box
Our Montessori Ball Drop Box can help your baby develop coordination, balance, and other motor skills. Here's how you can help your baby get the most from it.
7 - 8 Months
Week 33: It’s never too early to teach your baby math
Understanding math concepts at a young age can be a predictor of school success later on. Introduce your baby to math with these simple ideas from Lovevery.
7 - 8 Months
Week 30: Fresh ideas with water and ice
Water and ice teach your baby that some things stay the same, while others transform. Here are some fun ideas for water and ice play.
7 - 8 Months
Week 31: What Montessori families put in “treasure baskets” for their babies
What is a Montessori Treasure Basket and what do I put in it? Lovevery provides a list of household and outdoor items that your baby can play with.
7 - 8 Months
Week 32: Making space for baby
Dedicating a drawer or cabinet for your baby to play in can become their new favorite activity. Fill your baby's new space with these safe household objects.
7 - 8 Months
Week 35: Your baby can actually learn to drink from a cup now
Open cups help babies build the muscles in their mouths used to form sounds (and lessen drooling). Learn how to introduce an open cup to your baby.
7 - 8 Months
Week 29: Screeches and babbles
As your baby starts to babble, you can play an important role in their speech development. Learn how to have "conversations" with your baby.
7 - 8 Months
Week 28: When should my baby be scooting and crawling?
Whether your baby is ready to crawl yet or not, here are the stages of crawling and ideas for getting your baby moving forward.
7 - 8 Months
Week 27: Your baby wants to tell you something—12 best first signs
Babies can understand language before they can speak. Here are ways to communicate with your baby before they say their first recognizable words.
7 - 8 Months
Why your baby is crawling in their sleep (and what to do if it’s waking them up)
Have you ever glanced at your baby monitor's screen and watched your baby appear to crawl...while they were sleeping?