At the tender age of 12 months and 24 days, my daughter can tell me entire sentences without technically saying a word.
Years ago, I heard of babies that could sign before they could talk. This whole idea enthralled me and I always thought that if I ever had kids, I would love to teach them sign language.
While I was expecting, I was waddling through Babies R Us. I waited in line to use the bathroom/"Family Room" for what seemed like FOREVER. On a book shelf was a book about baby sign language. I waffled back and forth on whether I should buy it. I had already bought several books about babies and pregnancy. Did I really need another one? I am painfully cheap, but that's a whole other blog. Get over it, Stacey. Buy the damn book.
We started with a few basic signs. The big one, was of course, "milk". When it's your only food source, this one little word can express hunger, thirst and comfort. Today we have a limited but vital vocabulary of signs. We are trying to keep it simple and effective.
This morning my daughter signed, "More milk please." It's downright baffling. When speaking her version of each word, it comes out more like, "Mo' mmmmi zuzeez", but when these words are accompanied by sign language, there is absolutely no doubt in what she is trying to say.
It's giving us a clearer window of understanding into her language development. We have invested minimal effort in this "project", and have enjoyed the return immeasurably.
I encourage everybody to pick up a book and learn a few signs. You will not be disappointed.
I expect that when she is a teenager, she may yearn to give me a few choice gestures, but by then it won't be cute or amazing anymore.
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