Baby Signs and "MORE!"

I have always been a big fan of baby sign language. I love everything about it; the brain development connections, benefits for effective communication and it's just plain fun!

We started doing sign when Brady was itty-bitty and I had high hopes of him imitating the motions even before verbal skills and sailing through to communicating his needs and wants. It didn't quite pan out that way but I kept at demonstrating the basic signs every time I said the words.  

Here are some tips I've learned along the way:

1. Don't compare your baby to others. Seems like an obvious one, I know. But it's good to have a reminder that every baby develops differently. Don't let a baby you know who is excelling at signing discourage you from continuing to do it with your own. 

2. Make it fun. Be enthusiastic and exaggerate the motions. 

3. Associate it with food. Anyone would be eager to communicate that they want food, drink or more!

4. Help with the motions. Brady wouldn't tolerate me moving his hands for him but some baby's will. This helps make the kinesthetic (muscle memory) connection. And remember to look for your baby's version of the sign. 

5. Keep it up. Even if your baby doesn't imitate the motions but enjoys watching you do them and you have fun with it, keep at it!

Brady learning and retaining the  signs has been sporadic. He did "milk" for awhile and then stopped. He did "all done" for awhile and then stopped. But regardless of him imitating the signs, he always enjoyed seeing them and it was apparent we understood their meaning. 

I was so thrilled when, a few weeks ago, he appropriately and unprompted signed "more" at the dinner table. He seemed really please with himself too! 

So lately "more" has been his word of choice. He says it ("moh??" SO CUTE) and signs it. He does this in context when he wants more and it seems, randomly just because it's fun. There are times, I'm sure, when he does want more of something but we're just not sure what. He also uses "all done," occasionally "eat" (his hand to his mouth) and sometimes "milk" while nursing which is really precious.   

 

I love how these picture capture his developing skills. I especially love the top one where it's really apparent that he's signing and saying the word! He's modified how he does the sign; first with all fingertips together then one palm open and one hand in pincer grip. Lately, it's been the very common pointing with one finger at the other hand. 

This is definitely a skill I'm glad we've incorporated into our communication. I'm excited to see how it will evolve and continue to be helpful.

Happy Signing!