Avi has been learning signs from the get go. When we are out and he signs something, I see other mothers recognize his signs adding something along the lines of, "I'm using baby sign with my son/daughter too." I've even had a well intended mama correct my signs. I wasn't sure how to respond, because I am a certified sign language interpreter. I'm pretty sure that I know how to sign "more" correctly. Smile and nod?
"I"
"want"
"more"
"please."
Oh, someone "correcting" your signs. That's funny. hee hee!
ReplyDeleteright?!
DeleteHow cool. I am amazed at how well signing works for babies. I decided not to do signing because I am already teaching Italian and English to my girls. Though I am sure with Sofia's language skills she would probably pick it up fast. I would have said something to the mother. I wouldn't want her to teach other people wrong signs. I correct people when they speak Italian. Gently of course.
ReplyDeleteKC, Italian hey? Nice! The thing about saying something to this other mother is that many people use "baby signs" that aren't always ASL (American Sign Language) signs. Some are similar or modified... and I doubt the goal for them isn't to become fluent in ASL, but to just use some baby signs until their kidlet can talk. So I don't really find it's worth the effort. I just feel grateful that my own knowledge will lead to Avi learning way beyond the 'baby sign' phase. :)
DeleteSo cute, love the "more" picture. I loved using sign language with Reece. We definitely did not use ASL signs, we just made up what worked for us. I am sure that mother would have stopped us and told us every sign we were using was wrong :) For us it didn't matter, it was another way for us to communicate with Reece and we loved it.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true. Communication is the most important aspect! It's so great when we can understand and they can feel understood! :)
DeleteSo sweet! And wonderful that you are raising your little guy bilingual! (We are too...English and German). We did baby signs with Evan, but have been a little lax with Clayton. Case in point, we tried to teach him the sign for more. We would say and sign "Do you want more?' But he usually didn't and we would let him down right after. Pretty soon, he started to associate both the word and sign for "more" with getting out of his chair. Oops! We abandoned the sign pretty much completely and now when he is done eating, he says "mur mur mur" and pulls and the strap in his seat. Well, at least we can understand him, right?
ReplyDeletekatie, how cute... mur mur mur works too! it's funny the associations they make. We sometimes will ask Avi how the goats eat when he is at the table to encourage him to eat. He does this cute little chewing motion but will become interested in eating again. Recently when we visited the goats, one of the goats pooped. So now when we ask him to show us how the goats eat, he signs "goat poop". Not the greatest dinner table conversations, eh?
DeleteAdorable!!! I learned a bit of this when I used to work in programs for kids with special needs. I love the sign for "want" :) Avi looks like he's very clear in expressing himself!
ReplyDelete-Jaime
Jamie... it really is great. Today in the car Avi was saying something that I wasn't understanding. I asked him to sign it and he signed "goat"... then I understood him and could follow his story. :)
Delete