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Baby Signs
A Conversation Creating Lasting Bonds
By Nancy Cadjan, Certified Baby Sign Instructor
Wonder what your baby is thinking or what she's interested in? Want to ask her what she likes to eat? Want to know if that cry is because he is hungry, needs a diaper change or is hurt? You may be surprised to hear it, but a few hand signs can help you achieve all this and more.
By using baby signing, you can communicate with your child sooner and reduce stress for the whole family. Tantrums are often caused by a toddler's inability to communicate needs or wants. Being able to communicate using baby signing reduces the number of tantrums. And fewer tantrums mean a better relationship!
Signing gives your child the ability to tell you when something is wrong. Sixteen-month-old Dallin was teething. Instead of crying, he came to his mother, signed "medicine" and tapped his face where his tooth was coming in. His mother, Tricia, was able to give him a pain relieving gel. "He knows that when he needs something, he can let me know," says the mom from Springville, Utah. "I can solve his problems, and we don't have to deal with the tears. I know my relationship with him is stronger because we can communicate."
Baby signing gives your child the ability to tell you he needs something. Fifteen-month-old Alex was eating lunch when his mom gave him a banana. He shook his head "no" and signed "apple." His mother understood he wanted an apple instead. If Alex had not been able to sign, he probably would have resisted the banana and cried without any way to tell his mother he wanted an apple.
Baby signing also gives you the opportunity to see what your child is thinking about. Fourteen-month-old Jessica repeatedly signed "moon" when she and her mother went outside. Mom realized Jessica was interested in seeing the moon. One evening, she took her out to see it. After that, Jessica asked to see it every night. Their evening ritual continued for six months. This was their special time together.
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