As Harper gets older I am often left wondering what does she want, what is she feeling, does she know what I mean when I say we are going bye-bye?
Harper is just about 8 months old and she laughs, she cries, she puts her arms out when she wants to be picked up, she crawls backwards, she rolls from side to side, she drinks from her sippy cup but there are times when I have no idea what she is crying about or why she is getting upset.
For example, when I put her in her high chair to eat and I go into the kitchen to get something she has a complete fit!!! I always turn around and say “Harper I will be right back” but I am getting the feeling that as this continues to go on there is something that is being lost in translation.
Baby sign language is a method of teaching your child hand motions to communicate when they are still a pre-verbal infant. These hand motions can help build communication between parent and child. Don’t get me wrong I can’t wait to the day that Harper says her first words but until that exciting day arrives this is proving to be a great resource and a sense of connection between mommy and daughter. These days Harper still get sensitive when either her dad or I walk into the other room when she is in her high chair but when we tell her we are going to get more(and sign the word) she seems to calm down and understand MORE yumminess is on the way!
Have you ever considered teaching your baby sign language? If you used baby sign language to communicate how did it work for you?
I use to babysit a little boy who knew a few words in sign language and it made it so much easier to communicate to him at such a young age. I knew when I had children, I would teach them some simple baby signs as well. I have a 14 month old and she signs more and all done during meal time. She use to throw HUGE fits when she was in her high chair, but now I ask her what she wants, more or if she is all done, and she instantly stops having a fit, smiles, and signs to me what she wants. It has helped dramatically. It did take a little while for her to comprehend that the signs meant what I was saying, and for a few months she would clap when she wanted more, but now she has it down perfectly. (of course she gets it perfect once I am trying to teach her to use her words haha)
We did it with Asher, particularly around meal times & it helped us to know that he DID want “more” or that he was “all done” or did he want to “eat” or “drink,” “please” & “thank you!” We are starting to use it similarly with Adeline…she has not shown us any signs yet, but I think she will soon!
We did it with both kids and I HIGHLY recommend it. It helped with so many fits. The reason they cry sometimes is because they know what they want but can’t communicate. We mostly signed:
Milk, Eat, All Done, More, Please, Thank You, Wait, Bath, Sorry
The thing is to be consistent, even if you think they don’t get it, keep using it and soon they will respond.
Where can I order a baby sign language like the one that you are using in this entry?
I would love to get a copy of this chart. I have used Signing Time and like that system. I have also used Pick Me Up which is a great ASL program for babies and small children. But this poster would be wondering to give to her child care provider!
I too would like to order a poster if available. Thx.
where can I get the poster? I have a daycare and have been teaching my kids this and would love to get this poster for myself and family’s Thank You!
We did baby signs with both of our daughters (now 2.7 and 5). It was amazing to see what thoughts were going through their heads before they could verbalize. I feel it’s been a huge benefit to their continued and advanced communication and verbalization since they didn’t have the extreme frustration of not being able to communicate at such a young age. I’m so behind baby signs!!
http://thisfineday.com/