Baby Sign Language Thread #3

[amayzie]

Some research i heard the other day to add to your bag of knowledge- We know already (I assume you guys do to- but if you didn't) That kids are able to produce signs before speech aas it is an easier task. The research now shows that kids combine 2 gestures before they combine 2 words. So AGAIN- signing is a great practice for Language!

Unfortunately- does not result in higher IQ directly... but the interaction with parents and focussing on the key words probably goes a long way to helping with that!!

ALSO- a question- I BF and was wanting to ntroduce some more signs.. Do you guys use a sign for breastfeeding rather than milk? I thought the sign for milk seems very like a cow (the aussie sign) and is not what i'd like to do in public (or have him do!!). So I thought one sign for BF and then introduce 'milk' when he starts having thaat?

Just did some googling- the aussie sign is VERY like milking a cow- the british and american are a little more of a departure...

[firsttimemummy]

ALSO- a question- I BF and was wanting to ntroduce some more signs.. Do you guys use a sign for breastfeeding rather than milk? I thought the sign for milk seems very like a cow (the aussie sign) and is not what i'd like to do in public (or have him do!!). So I thought one sign for BF and then introduce 'milk' when he starts having thaat?

we just do "milk" which is opening and closing your fist with thumb sticking up - but you can do any sign you want (don't suppose your DS will be singing breastmilk in later life ).  M made up a few signs and we just kept to those.

[Chicane]

For BF I just made a rubbing motion over my breast and kept the sign for milk for a glass of milk...

[RachelC]

Remember, unless you are going for teaching them the full language, you can use a ASL or BSL sign.  Here, I would sign 'Mommy' then 'milk' for breastfeeding, and 'bottle' for a bottle.  You can check out lifeprint.com and look up breastfeeding for other options.

[amayzie]

THanks ladies! Anyone come up with an idea for 'mango'? I seem to be lacking creativity and can't find the sign for it! Thought it could combine the 'man' sign and the 'go' sign... but not sure!

[Papaya]

We sign M for mango - so three fingers of the right hand against left palm. She has adapted this to just clap to mean any sort of fruit!

[amayzie]

Cool ta!

[Khalam's Mama]

Sign language of mango

[Papaya]

So F will be 1 next week so I thought I'd count up the signs she can do...and got to 99! Have to make sure she learns another one or two in the next few days to bring us up to the big 100 

Makes me aware again just how incredibly grateful I am that we started using sign language with her - that's soooo much communication we have we her, so many insights into what she's thinking and feeling, that we wouldn't otherwise have. And so much less frustration, I'm sure!

[Chicane]

That is so cool Papaya!

[firsttimemummy]

Wow, will need to get a move on with Oliver!!

[Khalam's Mama]

That has really inspired me to be even more consistent with B. Lovely.

[Ima shel Alon]

Wow, Nuala, that is amazing! I am jealous (in a good way)

[amayzie]

100! Great! An away with a one year old who doesn't do any signing(which is fine- it's not for everyone) and she has sooo much to say, but can only point and sort of say 'ugh' whenshe wants something, or to comment, or complain etc... I think that's what some people don't think of- that yeah you may know that they are hungry at a certain time, and pretty much what they'll want to eat- that you will have no idea that they're about to tell you how funny the bottle of suncream looks on the bench!!  Will be ramping up my signing as soon as I get home (I already seem crazy enough here with our BLW!)

[Papaya]

One of the signs I'm finding most useful at the moment is *help*. Yesterday F had put some pens in a bag and couldn't work out how get them out again. I watched her for a minute but didn't step in, then she just brought the bag to me, signed help, I showed her how to get them out and she went on her way again, happy. No frustration!