Combining Signs

Dr. Acredolo blogs about babies combining signs - see below for her quoted blog posting. Babies who sign can combine signs/words sooner than those with words only. Once Emma signed "more" frequently, I started showing her the sign for "more" with the addition of "please". Since she was picking up signs more quickly by that time, she was able to start using her manners when requesting more of something. One mom shared the story of her child signing three words together "more" "candy" "please". She didn't really want to give her any more, but how could she not - three signs put together! Love the car wash story contained in this blog! Those children let their mom know that even though she thought they would enjoy the car wash, they were scared of it. Not only did they put together three signs, they also told their mom exactly what they were feeling and why. "There’s no doubt that a single sign—such as MORE, for example—conveys important information. But there’s also no denying that the combination MORE + COOKIE is even clearer. Babies seem to know this intuitively; that’s why as soon as they can, they begin stringing two words (or signs!) together and sentences are born. This important intellectual milestone—the ability to put true words together—typically occurs on average around 20 months, with many babies waiting until their third year. Things happen much earlier, however, with signs. Because signs are easier to learn than words, babies can begin putting them together with each other and with single words as early as 12 months! The most useful signs in this regard are MORE which can be combined with lots of other signs or words (e.g., cookie, milk, book, bubbles, etc.) and ALL GONE which is equally combinable (e.g., with water for down the drain, food words or signs, and even animal signs when animals run or fly away). Many signing babies, however, don’t stop with just two. Here’s a great illustration: Michelle, mom to toddler twins Jimmie and Julianna (see photo), decided to make a detour from shopping and take the kids for their first trip through the car wash. She thought they might enjoy it. Instead, they began crying hysterically, clearly terrified by the onslaught of water, brushes, and noise. That night when Daddy got home, they immediately told him all about it…with signs: CAR + BATH+ SCARED! For weeks afterward, when they would get in the car they would repeat the same “sentence” just to make sure Mom wouldn’t forget and take them there again! Yup! Sometimes one word (or sign) alone isn’t nearly enough! Happy Signing! (and don’t forget to look for us on Facebook)" Linda Linda Acredolo, Ph.D. Co-Founder, the Baby Signs® Program and Professor Emeritus, UC Davis