Baby Signing

When Ethan and Aidan were little, I learned about baby signs, and how you can bridge the gap between when babies can understand you and when they can talk. (Worst run-on sentence ever, but I don't care. I'm too tired to change it.) Studies show that if you use baby signs, it can decrease tantrums, and possibly increase IQ levels, in addition to boosting your child's confidence and making them feel proud of themselves. I bought this book when Ethan was a baby, and it sits on my special bookshelf where all of my favorite books sit. Except for right now, of course, because I am using it with Kaitlyn. This book explains the findings behind the research, how to do the basic signs, and has lots of pictures and stories about babies doing signs and communicating with their parents.

(For your information: only some of the signs are ASL. Some are just simplified signs to help a baby learn to communicate. And Melanie J., I don't know how the deaf community feels about this. But I loved the fact that Ethan knew (and could communicate with us) 40 signs before he could even talk.) (Oh, and P.S. I'm not being paid for this post or anything.)

We also purchased the first two Baby Signing Time dvds when Ethan was little. He loved them, I loved them, and I dare you to watch the first dvd and NOT find yourself singing, "Mom has a mom and she's my grandma" over and over in your head as you try to go to sleep.


As soon as Kaitlyn turned 6 months old, I started doing a few signs with her: eat, all done, nurse, Mom and Dad. Every time I say the word "nurse," I do the sign. It's been about three weeks, and now when I say the word and do the sign, she starts flapping her arms with excitement. And she has started doing the sign for "all done" constantly. She doesn't know what it means yet, but she smiles the biggest smile every time she does it. And I love how she looks back and forth from Christian to me when we do the signs for Mom and Dad.

I love the fact that Kaitlyn will be able to communicate with us much sooner than she will be able to talk to us. I love this book and these dvds, and highly recommend them if you have babies, or even for baby shower gifts for new moms.

I only have one thing I'm slightly worried about - what will happen when I wean her at one year old, and she signs "nurse" over and over, and I have to tell her no? Sigh. We'll just cross that bridge when we come to it.