12 months old, week 2

Pointing to a named picture began to emerge. When I asked Juli "Where is the apple?", she pointed at the apple in the picture book.

Emerging signed words

Juli, sitting in a highchair, pointed to the orange pieces on a countertop and produced orange.

She produced the same handshape, location and movement for strawberry and orange, which was the closest to what she could produce. But, a context helped me identify.

Teaching independence

Independence is one of natural development in toddlerhood. To blend in this development, I began to give Juli a choice more to avoid possible tantrums.

For examples, Juli insisted to brush by herself non-stop. To stop her brushing, I turned on water and let her clean her toothbrush. I turned off the water and led her to the toothbrush holder with a prayer in mind that she would cooperate. She dropped the toothbrush off in the holder. I praised. Juli smiled with pride in her accomplishment. And, I let her turn off the bathroom light.

To teach her to embrace a bedtime, I let her turn off the light. Before that, I uttered good+night, ILY.

Mom, it's a nap time.

One day this week, as a nap was approaching close, I was waiting for Juli's signal (physical). Surprised, Juli walked toward and pointed to the stroller. Usually, she would object if she were to put in the stroller. Curiously, I put her in the stroller without her objection.

I walked her around while I improvised an ASL lullaby to her till she fell asleep.

Next day Juli pointed to the stroller to let Dude know it was a nap time. Dude, who heard my story the day before, didn't hesitate to put her in the stroller. Sure enough, Juli relaxedly opened her arms so Dude could buckle her up. She fell asleep in a few minutes.

Next day as an afternoon nap at about the same time I didn't wait for Juli to signal. I led her to the stroller and she embraced it. I improvised an ASL lullaby and she fell asleep easily.

Next day, Juli walked toward the stroller and pulled it out. At first I thought she was just pulling and pushing. But, I realized when Juli got frustrated. I asked You want to-nap? I put her in the stroller and shortly she fell asleep.

From there on, Juli was able to tell me when she was ready for a nap and I was able to understand her communication.

People

Got a story to tell your experience and share it with others? Send an email to Handspeak. I'd love to hear about it, too.

A bird in our house

".. been teaching my 13 month old hearing daughter to sign since she came into the world. I had no idea children as young as 6 months old could express what they feel and what they want. It has made time spent with my daughter so incredibly gratifying for both of us! She doesn't cry when she wants a drink, she simply asks for it. Books and everyday happenings have tremendous meaning for her because she can "talk" about things she sees and she has control over how many times she hears a word. We've often been caught without a sign for something that she wants to learn about. And your site has filled the bill! It's fun for us to try to find the object or animal she signs to us...she recently insisted that we had a bird in our living room. After a few minutes, we realized it was the angel on the Christmas tree. What a great way to see the world through your baby's eyes! -- Kathryn Doherty, Miami, Florida, USA. December 13, 2000.

Reduce the terrible two's

My son, who's almost 4 was taught to sign around 1 year of age. He caught on quickly and we did not face the "terrible two's" like many of our friends with kids the same age. I now have a 13 month old daughter whom we're also teaching to sign. It's so incredible that the entire family is able to communicate with her thru signing. I've book marked your site as I've found I need to learn more signs. As a side note, my son, has a much broader vocabulary and speaks more clearly than all the kids in his preschool class. He's even spoken difficult words (i.e. responsibility, stabilizer, vertical, etc.) More parents should use this method of communication!" -- Michelle Bryant, December 19, 2003.

ASL as a second language

"Thought you would all like to know how wonderfully baby sign works. I started teaching my granddaughter when she was 7 months. She is now 13 months and signs a vocabulary of 22 words. It makes like so much easier than having her whine and cry for the things she wants and cannot ask for. She is teaching the other kids in her daycare class. When she learns to talk we will continue to sign so that she will have a second language. Thanks again." -- Wendy LaRocque, USA