Sign Time, Rhyme Time

As some of you may know, the first edition of the foundational book that launched the “sign language with babies” movement—my book with Dr. Susan Goodwyn, Baby Signs: How to Talk with Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk—was published way back in 1996. Since that time we’ve published two more editions, one in 2002 and the most recent in 2009.

In all three editions we accomplished the major goal of helping families understand the benefits of signing, appreciate the fact that the Baby Signs® Program is founded on our government-funded research, and learn easy ways to incorporate signing into daily life within their homes.

However, because of space constraints, we found it necessary in this latest edition to leave out one of my favorite features—a set of simple poems easily combined with signs that parents can recite to help their little ones learn signs in a fun way. Maybe because I personally authored most of these, I was really sad to see them go. Then it suddenly occurred to me that there is no reason I can’t share a few of them here! So enjoy!

Dreamland
One last drink of water (Water or Drink)
My favorite teddy bear (Bear)
A lap to curl up in (Pat lap)
And the old rocking chair (Rocking torso)
A book about kittens (Book; Cat)
A song about love (Love)
And I’m off to dreamland (Sleep)
With the stars up above. (Stars)

Butterfly Wings
Butterfly wings go fluttering by (Butterfly—left to right)
Down to the flowers and up to the sky Butterfly—down, then up)
Butterfly wings tickle your toes (Butterfly to toes)
Butterfly wings land right on your nose! (Butterfly—to nose)

Giraffes are Tall
Giraffes are tall (Giraffe)
Birdies are small (Bird)
But itty bitty fleas you can’t see at all! (Tickle baby)

Happy Signing (and don’t forget to visit us on Facebook)!

Linda

Linda Acredolo, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, UC Davis
and
Co-Founder, The Baby Signs® Program