Signing with baby

When I was pregnant with my first baby, I heard about babies and sign-language and I thought I’d look into it. It seemed like a great activity to incorporate into my new SAHM world. It occurred to me that I might need to think about what I would do with my new little person, besides cuddle, nurse, change diapers and watch her when she slept. And if she learned a few words, especially those related to her needs, well, that might be a cool thing for both of us.

I learned the alphabet in sign when I was a kid. And to this day, I remember it. But besides that, I only knew, “I Love you”. Oh, and the universal, middle finger. Which I get a kick out of, but reserve for rare occasions.

Anyway, I started with a baby-signing book, called SIGN with your BABY – Baby Sign Language (ASL) Kit.

I flipped through the laminated reference page and realized how intuitive most of the vocabulary was. I started with just one sign word, “Milk” (or, “Babyfood” as we call it in our house). I started when Girl-E was around 3 months – just trying to get in the habit myself, I used the milk sign when we began nursing. She started to notice that I was moving my hands when she was about 4 months. But I’m sure she just thought I was animated, or something. Because, I kinda am.

Then when I started solids, at around 6 months, and she was sitting in the highchair, I used the “More” sign. Then, “Eat” and ”Drink”. The actual signs are simple. You know, like, “drink” is motioning the cup at your mouth taking a drink. It’s an easy gesture. Plus, it was a fun way to interact during the day.

I though, maybe this sign-thing would take. Maybe it wouldn’t. Either way, I didn’t push it.

Then one night, at 9 months, Elyse was fussing and crying in an uncharacteristic way before bed. She was all worked-up. And even after I tried the nursing, diaper, rocking chair, lullabye, change environment, routine – she was still fit to be tied.

Aaaah! Save me!!

So, we were standing in the dimly lit kitchen at 8pm. Holding her close to my chest, trying to lull her in a rhythmic chant, she pushed away from my chest, looked me straight in the eye, and signed… “drink”.

What?

WHAT!?

Pause.

Oh! Right!!!! I know that hand movement!

So I got her a sippy cup of water, handed it to her and she gulped it down lickety-split. The entire 6 ounces!???

And that was it. Can you imagine? I never would have thought to give her water at that stage in our bedtime process. It’s not something we ever do. She has water with dinner, but not hours later. She would have been thirsty for who-knows-how-long before I would’ve thought about that. If at all.

But she told me. She got it. She knew I got it, too. And the relief on her face was priceless.

And that was the beginning of my mission to teach her how to communicate her needs with me during the frame of time when, developmentally, she wasn’t able to speak.

This was a breakthrough for us.

From those basic words, I expanded. There are a ton of sign language websites out there. Just google “ASL” (American Sign Language) for free online dictionaries. There are a ton of books out there, too. My local library has a great selection. But I mostly used that laminated card and online ASL dictionaries. Everything from animals, food stuff, day-to-day routine things (like change diaper, bath time, meal time), people, places, things, activities, feelings, etc. We’d often flip through a picture dictionary and she’d ask me for the sign word on just about everything she came across. Suddenly, by 18 months she had a massive vocabulary.

The older she got, the more she used her spoken words. And eventually, we kind of let the sign drift, as it was replaced with her new exciting skill… talking, talking and more talking. And more talking!

But what I learned early on in our sign-language journey, was that she knew how to talk to me, and she knew that I understood her. We had an unspoken language that gave her the feeling of being understood. Her needs and wants were being answered and it felt great to experience this level of communication with her while she was in diapers. (Most) Tantrums were thwarted because she could communicate with me. And that was a HUGE bonus, to say the least. Though, there were many times she’d ask/sign to watch a show, and I’d sign, “not now, later”… and well, there’s not a whole lot I can do about her reaction! But you get what I mean!

And now I’ve got my second baby, he’s 15 months young, using sign, too. And once again, it’s just a fabulous tool for fun and communication in our home. His big sister has reignited her sign language and is a big contributor to what he’s learned. They sign together, too, which is so sweet!

He also tells me when he’s teething and when his ear hurts (he’s been prone to ear infections). It’s pretty amazing. On a lighter note, he lights up to tell me he sees an elephant, alligator, cat, hat, car, shoe… you name it, on the pages of his favorite books. The excitement in his eyes tells me he’s proud and it’s a really sweet feeling to share this with him.

Anyway, I wonder if any of you sign with your kids? Or if you’re thinking about using sign with your baby? I’d love to hear your stories about this subject!