My son is now 8.5 months old and for the past couple of months we've been showing him how to do sign language for a few simple things (milk, up, play, sleep). And yesterday I saw him do his first sign; he did the sign for milk. It was pretty much the coolest thing I've ever seen. He had done it for my wife the day before, but since I didn't see it, I didn't totally believe her. Telling us when he's hungry may not seem like a big deal, but it's huge to a first time father.
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"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."
- Christopher Reeve
Oh Charger! I soooo understand what a blessing it is to be able for your child to communicate in a meaningful way. It changes your whole life! No longer do you have to totally shoot from the hip guessing what he wants, but you can ask questions and he'll respond!
We used sign language too with our kids and I very CLEARLY remember the day that Samantha (now 4 and 1/2) toddled up to her high chair and said, "Snaaaak." I scooped the kid up kissed a blister on her and fed her anything she indicated she might want! It was wonderful!
Also, today, Jack our 21 month old was EXTREMELY tired in the back seat of the van and was in and out of sleep. In one of his more awake moments, he signed "Drink" and from then on if Mommy mentioned drink he woke up. This is a kid that talks in fairly clear sentances most of the time, so for us to still communicate this way basic way is cool to me.
I am very impressed and happy for you. The ability to speak is behind the ability to communicate. I really wanted to do it, especially with my 3rd child, but the other adults in our house thought it was baloney.
Keep it up - it will save you many frustrating hours!
I saw a commercial for a new Baby Einstein video that has signs just the other day! I actually told my wife we should try that with #2. How ironic!
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Two Bears Dadda? Two Bears Benno, just two. ______________________________ ___________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971
Yes, I too have heard about this ability to teach communication before speech develops. It will surely result in a lot less frustration for both parents and child. Good on you for teaching this to your son.
I wonder if perhaps I could teach sign language to my teenagers to enhance communication .... :p
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"Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you are right." - Henry Ford
"UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." - Dr. Seuss
"Life is no brief candle to me. It is sort of a splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations." - George Bernard Shaw
HAHAHA!! Exactly. There's also the "eyes rolled back in the head" one ...
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"Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you are right." - Henry Ford
"UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." - Dr. Seuss
"Life is no brief candle to me. It is sort of a splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations." - George Bernard Shaw
I learned sign language when I was younger so I could "talk" with my parents without saying a word.
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"Rust on a nail builds tetanus. Rust on a barbell builds character, strength, and attitude." -EC
"Don't spend your life wishing. Spend it doing." -FishrCutB8
"You're a mutant, like a snake with two heads or a cat shy one nipple. Be thankful that your mutation is helpful." - LD
Just to clear things up: In my case, it was to be able to talk to my parents in certain situations when a loud baby would be annoying. For example, in church or at a restaurant. Instead of screaming out for all to hear that "I'm hungry" or "I need to go to the bathroom", etc. we'd sign it instead.
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"Rust on a nail builds tetanus. Rust on a barbell builds character, strength, and attitude." -EC
"Don't spend your life wishing. Spend it doing." -FishrCutB8
"You're a mutant, like a snake with two heads or a cat shy one nipple. Be thankful that your mutation is helpful." - LD
It's just that parents can no longer just tell them what to do/think because "I'm you mother/father and you will do what you are told"...
now, they need a reason/evidence/proof!!(it's usually not there)
And how many children do you have?????? I agree teenagers aren't bad at all, but until these babies leave my house "Because I'm your mom" is ALWAYS a viable reason for them to obey. Make no mistake, we (RL and I) are the rulers of this house. We try to be benevolent rulers, but we are adults and they are not...until they move out. When they move out, they can make their own decisions/rules, but until then "Because I'm your mom/dad" will be sufficient even though I choose to give a more explanitory answer at times.
It's just that parents can no longer just tell them what to do/think because "I'm you mother/father and you will do what you are told"...
now, they need a reason/evidence/proof!!(it's usually not there)
You'll be amazed at how smart your parents were when you look back at it in a few years. My problem was always the allusion of "rights" I thought I had. Until you pay your own bills, you have no rights.
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"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."
- Christopher Reeve
It's just that parents can no longer just tell them what to do/think because "I'm you mother/father and you will do what you are told"...
now, they need a reason/evidence/proof!!(it's usually not there)
You're right, but a big part of it is that adults in modern society have set the wrong expectations. The adults no longer have it in them to say it strongly without offering backup.
I knew from experience that my parents were mostly right. So, when they said "just do it," I tended to listen.
You'll be amazed at how smart your parents were when you look back at it in a few years. My problem was always the allusion of "rights" I thought I had. Until you pay your own bills, you have no rights.
One of my favorite Mark Twain quotes:
"When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years." -
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I still butt heads with my parents, sometimes about stuff that really is crap. It's tough. Sometimes I can see they're right and I just want to do something anyway. Other times, I just can't understand why they don't get it. It's mostly overprotection that I have a problem with. Some of the situations just baffle me. I would have hoped that as smart as I am, they'd trust my judgment more. I'm sorry to all you parents out there, but "We trust you, it's just everyone else in the world that we're worried about" doesn't cut it. That's still a shot at our judgment, basically saying you don't trust who we choose to hang out with. A big thing with me was driving with friends - that one got ugly at times. My mother would have none of it for months. Now, they're starting to loosen up, as they realize it makes things a lot easier for them and that I only have a few more months until I'm on the road alone myself.
When those tougher times come around, I just remind myself I have just over a year left when it won't matter anymore :p
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"Rust on a nail builds tetanus. Rust on a barbell builds character, strength, and attitude." -EC
"Don't spend your life wishing. Spend it doing." -FishrCutB8
"You're a mutant, like a snake with two heads or a cat shy one nipple. Be thankful that your mutation is helpful." - LD
Kevin, as Old Guy said, it's likely because they remember what THEY did as teenagers. It's hard for parents to turn their teens loose on the World, knowing the stupid things that WE did as teens.
Believe me, when you have kids of your own, you will COMPLETELY get your parents' "overprotectiveness."
When they move out, they can make their own decisions/rules, but until then "Because I'm your mom/dad" will be sufficient even though I choose to give a more explanitory answer at times.
Kevin, as Old Guy said, it's likely because they remember what THEY did as teenagers. It's hard for parents to turn their teens loose on the World, knowing the stupid things that WE did as teens.
Believe me, when you have kids of your own, you will COMPLETELY get your parents' "overprotectiveness."
More like their older brothers and sisters :p
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"Rust on a nail builds tetanus. Rust on a barbell builds character, strength, and attitude." -EC
"Don't spend your life wishing. Spend it doing." -FishrCutB8
"You're a mutant, like a snake with two heads or a cat shy one nipple. Be thankful that your mutation is helpful." - LD
Pretty Cool (for a parent anyway)
:p
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