Auslan Baby Sign Language Chart – Free Guide
An Auslan baby sign language chart is one of the most practical tools for parents learning to sign with their babies. Having a quick-reference guide of essential signs posted in your kitchen, nursery, or changing area keeps signs top of mind throughout the day. This guide covers the most important signs to include on your chart and how to use them effectively.
What to Include on Your Chart
The best Auslan baby sign language chart focuses on 15 to 20 essential signs rather than trying to cover the entire Auslan vocabulary. Quality and usability matter more than quantity — a chart with too many signs becomes overwhelming and gets ignored. Choose signs that connect to your baby’s daily experiences and strongest interests.
Organize your chart by category to make it easy to find the right sign in the moment. Grouping signs into sections like mealtime, daily routines, people, and emotions creates a logical structure that matches how you will actually use the chart. When your baby is crying at dinnertime, you want to find the sign for eat instantly, not scan through an alphabetical list.
Ensure your chart uses authentic Auslan signs rather than ASL or invented gestures. Many baby sign charts available online use American Sign Language signs because the baby signing movement originated in the United States. For Australian families, using real Auslan signs means your baby learns vocabulary from the sign language actually used in their country.
Include brief written descriptions of each sign alongside any visual references. Descriptions should cover the handshape, movement, and location of each sign. For example, “MILK — open and close fist repeatedly, as if squeezing” gives you enough information to produce the sign even without a picture. Written descriptions are especially useful when you need to quickly teach a sign to a new caregiver.
Feeding and Mealtime Signs
Mealtime signs are the most immediately useful category on your Auslan baby sign language chart because babies are highly motivated to communicate about food. These signs address basic needs that arise multiple times daily, providing constant opportunities for practice and reinforcement.
The sign for milk is typically the first sign babies learn and use. In Auslan, this sign mimics the squeezing motion of milking. Many parents report that their baby’s first intentional sign is “milk,” because the connection between the sign and the desired result (getting milk) is so direct and rewarding.
The sign for “more” involves bringing the fingertips of both hands together repeatedly. This versatile sign quickly expands beyond mealtime as babies discover they can request more of anything — more food, more play, more reading. Including it prominently on your chart ensures all caregivers use the same version.
“All done” or “finished” is the natural complement to “more.” In Auslan, this sign involves turning the hands over in a clear finishing gesture. Teaching “more” and “finished” together gives your baby two powerful tools for expressing preferences, dramatically reducing mealtime frustration for everyone at the table.
Signs for water, “food,” and specific favourite foods are also valuable additions. If your baby loves bananas or yoghurt, having a sign for those specific items makes mealtimes smoother and more interactive. You can add food-specific signs gradually as your baby masters the basics.
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Daily Routine Signs
Daily routine signs cover activities your baby experiences every day, creating predictable opportunities for signing. Including these on your chart helps you remember to sign during transitions and routines when communication is most useful.
The sign for “bath” or “wash” is a natural addition. Bathtime is a focused, interactive period where you have your baby’s full attention. Signing “bath” as you prepare the water and throughout the bathing routine helps your baby anticipate what is happening and eventually request bath time themselves.
Signs for “sleep,” “bed,” and “book” support bedtime routines. Many parents develop a signing sequence for bedtime: “book” (reading time), then “sleep” (time to rest), then “night night.” This signed routine provides a predictable, comforting structure that babies find reassuring. It also gives your baby a way to request story time or signal when they are tired.
“Change” or “nappy” is a practical sign for nappy-changing time. While very young babies will not use this sign expressively for many months, modelling it consistently from an early age means they eventually learn to tell you when they need a change. This sign becomes particularly useful during toilet training.
Signs for “play,” “outside,” and “car” help with transitions between activities. Telling your baby in sign and speech that you are going outside or getting in the car prepares them for the change and reduces the distress that sudden transitions can cause. These signs give your baby a sense of agency in understanding their day.
People and Emotion Signs
Signs for important people in your baby’s life are emotionally meaningful and highly motivating. Include mum, dad, and signs for grandparents, siblings, or regular caregivers on your chart. Your baby will love being able to “name” the people they care about most.
Pet signs are surprisingly popular with babies. If you have a family dog, cat, or other pet, the sign for that animal will likely become one of your baby’s favourites. Animals in books and at the park provide additional signing opportunities — “bird,” “duck,” and “fish” are common hits with the under-two set.
Emotion signs help your baby develop emotional literacy alongside communication skills. Signs for “happy,” “sad,” “hurt,” and “scared” give your baby vocabulary for internal experiences that are otherwise difficult to express. When a toddler can sign “hurt” and point to their knee after a tumble, the parent can respond specifically and compassionately.
The sign for love is a beautiful addition that many families use daily. Signing “I love you” as part of your goodbye or bedtime routine creates a warm ritual that persists long after your child develops spoken language. Many families continue signing “I love you” across a room or through a window well into the school years.
How to Use Your Chart Effectively
Place multiple copies of your chart in the locations where you spend the most time with your baby. The kitchen, nursery, lounge room, and changing area are all ideal spots. A chart hidden in a drawer will not help you remember to sign in the moment. Visibility is key to building consistent signing habits.
Share copies with all caregivers, including grandparents, babysitters, and childcare staff. Consistency across caregivers dramatically accelerates your baby’s sign language learning. A laminated chart in your baby’s childcare bag ensures that educators can reinforce the same signs you use at home.
Update your chart as your baby’s vocabulary grows. Start with five to seven core signs and add new ones every few weeks as your baby masters the existing set. Removing signs your baby uses confidently makes room for new vocabulary and keeps the chart feeling fresh and relevant.
Use the chart as a learning tool for yourself as much as for your baby. Many parents find that they forget signs between uses, especially in the early weeks. A quick glance at the chart before a meal or bath refreshes your memory and helps you sign confidently and consistently. Over time, the signs will become automatic, and you will find yourself signing without needing to check the chart at all.
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