Jax now has 5 signs!
hi,
Havent posted in a little while. About a month ago, he was fussing and stretched his arm up and slapped his hand behind his ear. I wasnt so sure what this was about but he continued to do it. I thought hey, is that SLEEP. And low and behold, I gave him his soother and put him into bed ( a little before his usual nap time) and he went to sleep!! Now he signs this to ask for his soother as well. Rats, I am trying (well not too hard obviously) to get rid of the soother..
About 2 weeks ago suddenly Jax has been moving his hands and arms more regularly. I have figured out that he now signs MUSIC-drops the nondominant arm and just uses his one hand to flap up and down while starring at the CD player. At first I thought this was just hand flapping or perhaps hand babbling ( as signers babble too not only speakers) but he did this every time he sat at his high chair and would do it repeatedly and focused on the CD player at the other side of the room. We usually listen to music during meals so ...he was and still is absolutely signing MUSIC. Around the same time he signed WATER. This was much more clear to me as he uses an open 5 hand to the chin which looks pretty close to the adult form of WATER. I was impressed as was my husband as this sign looked the most clear so far.
Jax still signs more. He is now getting closer to approximating the adult form. He used to use flat slapping hands and now he uses his fists-so closer to the handshape (his movement is still incorrect but its coming).
OF course he will not do any of these signs on "command" and will be rather inconsistent in use, but I sign consistently and soon enough so will he. His brain just has to catch up! ha
Any signing stories out there you wish to share? I'd love to hear them!!
N.
posted by Hands In Sign @ 11:13 a.m.
3 Comments:
Hi Natasha,
I just took your Signing Smart seminar which I thoroughly enjoyed. I purchased a video and the cards.
I know it's too early for my 3 1/2 month old to sign but she loves the video already and she looks at me very intently when I sign to her, so I think I'll keep it up. I wasn't going to start quite yet but she seems to enjoy watching it and me.
Linda
Linda,
Thanks for your feedback! Isn't facinating to see what attracts & interests your child. My son is not interested in those Baby Einstein videos at all but absolutely LOVES the Signing Time videos.
You can begin signing when you feel its right for you and your child. Some start early, knowing that it will take awhile before the child recipocates. But in this route, you practice signing and will begin to seamlessly string signs along with your spoken words in everyday conversations. By the time your child signs back, you will have "mastered" the art of signing. For those who prefer to sign when the child is older and more likely to sign back sooner, the feedback only encourages you to continue.
Pls let me know when you think she is purposely using her hands to communicate something. Remember that young chdn will not bid your attention first before signing so you need to keep your eyes open!!
I have a cute story:
Max, my 19 month old, was sitting in the back of our car. He was saying "bie bie". I assumed since we dropped of my daughter at nursery school, that he was saying "bye". So, I said "bye bye". He then said "NO", and signed "bike" while saying "bie". I looked around and saw a cyclist far up the road. Without the context, I would never had know he was trying to say 'bike'. So, I said "Oh, BIKE" and he smiled and repeated "bike ~ road". Another frustrating moment averted with signs. Also, because I was able to understand what he wanted to talk about, we could talk about it. This really shows how signs help with spoken language. He was able to use his signs to clarify his English without frustration, but patience. Wonderful for a 1-year old!
Post a Comment
<< Home