Baby Sign Language

Ever since Freddie was about 6 months old, I've been trying to teach him a few signs. I myself took sign language for a couple years in high school and found it really interesting. I've always heard babies can pick up sign language at quite a young age and that it can then, so they say (no pun intended), be a useful way for them to express themselves before learning how to talk. I've seen it in action as well, when my sister Anna taught our niece Keeley how to sign "More" last summer. Very impressive!

However, when Freddie turned 1 last month I started to doubt my teaching skills. At every meal, I did the signs for "Please," "Thank You," "More," and "Finished." EVERY. MEAL. Plus other times during the day if we were passing toys to each other etc. William got into the action too and we would sign to each other to set an example for Freddie (while he was busy launching food or tipping his bib upside down). And what did we get back? Mostly nothing but an occasional bit of eye contact and a blank stare at best.

And then...a week or two ago at dinner he shoved his plate forward to show us he was done and threw his hands up in the air. We asked if he was "finished" and he did it again! The sign for "finish" is sort of hands in the air then twisting them away from you but Freddie just throws 'em straight up. He totally knew what he was doing too and looked pretty dang proud of himself afterwards.

And then again...this morning he pointed and grunted at my bowl of bran flakes because he wanted one and I asked him to say please and he rubbed his chest like the sign. William and I looked at each other in shock and then asked him to say please again and he did it again! He even did it a third time after I went and got the camera so it definitely wasn't a fluke.

So, to all the parents out there- this is a reminder to us that whilst (I feel like they only use that word over here in the UK. Do we use it in the U S of A or have I just been gone too long?) it may seem like our little sprogs are in their own little kid world, they ARE listening and paying attention to us. Who knew!

PS if any of you actually clicked the links to the sign language videos, they are pretty great huh! Talk about straight to the point. :) Love it.