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

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Sign-of-the-Week--Love-.html?soid=1100670752341&aid=_4YB7Mvhb3k

Just in time for Valentine's Day - teach your child the sign for "love". Loved when Emma would sign "love" to me! Parents often wonder how to teach the sign of love to babies and toddlers because it is not something they can point at. When you sign love to your child, they are going to be able to figure out the concept of love by your body language, your facial expression, etc. You can give them a big hug full of love as well after signing it! Your child will learn the meaning of it! The sign, "I love you" is done with your thumb, index finger and pinkie out representing the letters - i, l, y. My now 7 1/2 year old daughter and I still do that every time she heads off to the bus - love when she signs that to me!


http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Sign-of-the-Week--Love-.html?soid=1100670752341&aid=_4YB7Mvhb3k

Baby Signs - The Original Research-Based Method of Baby Sign Language

Baby Signs - The Original Research-Based Method of Baby Sign Language

Love this story! It's amazing the things you can find out when you give your babies a way to communicate. I can't remember a similar story with Emma, but she still told us so much with her signing. One time, we were at the zoo, and she had signed the names of all of the animals. Her favorite animal appeared to be the orangutan - every time we tried to move away, she kept making the "more" sign. She didn't express anything but delight all of the way through the zoo, seeing tigers, lions, alligators, etc. However, when we stopped in at the elephant house, she made her sign for "elephant" and then made her sign for "afraid". Had she just started crying, I don't think I would have immediately assumed that she was scared. I would have thought she may be hungry, or wet, or tired, etc.

Baby Signs - The Original Research-Based Method of Baby Sign Language: Beware: Conformity Starts Early!

I thought this was an interesting article about how early conformity shows up. I have heard similar things from my 7 year old - she won't say she likes a particular singer because no one else likes him and similar things. It's amazing how important friends and their acceptance become even at early ages.


Baby Signs - The Original Research-Based Method of Baby Sign Language: Beware: Conformity Starts Early!

Using the Sign for "Dirty"

Baby Signs, Inc. has sent out another sign of the week. This one is the sign for "dirty." https://www.babysigns.com/pdf/Dirty.pdf As BSI pointed out, "Do you find yourself saying "Don't touch that. It is DIRTY!" to your child? Using the sign along with the word, DIRTY, can help to place emphasis on what you are saying." It's also a great one because you can make the sign for "dirty" across a room at your older toddler or preschooler when they are about to touch something gross. No yelling needed!

I actually taught my then-toddler to use this sign when she had gone "poo-poo" in her diaper. That was very helpful! They move around so much at that age it was difficult to figure out if anyone had a dirty diaper, or who it belonged to. I remember one morning going into my daughter's room, and she greeted me with three signs, one right after the other. She first did the sign for "dirty", thus, I knew she had a dirty diaper. She then made the sign for "milk" so yes, she was thirsty. Then she made the sign for "fish" so that I could admire her "Finding Nemo" calendar on the wall. Look at all of that information that I received from her in just about 15 seconds. Have I written lately about how much I love the Baby Signs® program!!!!

Baby Signs - The Original Research-Based Method of Baby Sign Language: Signing Sentences: When One Sign Isn't Enough!

Baby Signs - The Original Research-Based Method of Baby Sign Language: Signing Sentences: When One Sign Isn't Enough!

I just love the story about the set of twins sitting in the back of their mom's car as she takes them into a car wash. She thought it would be a fun adventure, but they let her know that "car baths" are scary. It's amazing how young children can combine signs to make small sentences to express even more thoughts, feelings and wants.

One signing mom told me a great story about her child signing, "more candy please". The mom really didn't want to give her any more, but tough to resist such great manners.

Check out this Youtube video to learn the signs for hot, cold and hurt. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrdIZU_jd9A&feature=youtu.be Teaching these signs to your baby will help her tell you what's wrong when she's feeling uncomfortable, hurt or sick. This video is from Baby Signs, the original baby sign language program. You can use the sign for hurt near his ear to ask if he has an ear ache. Or, you can use it near her stomach to ask if her tummy hurts, and so on. Very useful sign! Emma used the sign for "hot" once to tell me that her french toast was still too hot to eat. Find out what your baby wants to tell you - teach your baby to sign!