Sign Language For Baby
Why I Did It
Posted by Kristi Gilbert
I'm a HUGE fan of using sign language to teach my kids communication. I'll admit I didn't teach them every word I know. I did, however, teach them a few important basics that I wanted them to learn from the start.
Manners. Please, and Thank you.
Both my children learned to sign "Please" and "Thank you" from the moment they started pointing. If they wanted something, they rubbed their chest with a flat hand. Once they received something, they showed thanks with a hand to the mouth then out in a presenting way. Before they could talk, they showed graciousness and gratefulness.
As time went on, I taught them other words that I felt were useful; poopy (poop), eat or hungry, drink and sleep. I didn't really use these as consistently. I'll agree that I could've benefited from them knowing more than I taught them. Especially the poop one, but I just emphasized the manners. And I don't regret it in the least.
To this day, my son and daughter use the sign "please" and "thank you" before saying it. Sometimes they use them simultaneously. People mention it. They notice the behavior. My daughter is almost two and she will say please to me through sign when I'm not listening right away. It never fails. She gets her request almost every time.
Want to teach your kids sign language but don't really know many words yourself? Keep the basics in mind.
And don't forget the manners. It's awesome to see your kids use them on a regular basis.
Here's a resource for some baby signing basics.
Do you sign with your baby?
[Image via: BabySignLanguage.com]
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