Signing Sentences: When One Sign Isn't Enough!

There’s no doubt that a single sign—such as MORE, for example—conveys important information. But there’s also no denying that the combination MORE plus COOKIE is even clearer. Babies seem to know this intuitively; that’s why as soon as they can, they begin stringing two words (or signs!) together and sentences are born.

This important intellectual milestone— the ability to put true words together—typically occurs on average around 20 months, with many babies waiting until their third year. Things happen much earlier, however, with signs. Because signs are easier to learn than words, babies can begin putting them together with each other and with single words as early as 12 months! The most useful signs in this regard are MORE which can be combined with lots of other signs or words (e.g., cookie, milk, book, bubbles, etc.) and ALL GONE which is equally combinable (e.g., with water for down the drain, food words or signs, and even animal signs when animals run or fly away).

Many signing babies, however, don’t stop with just two. Here’s a great illustration: Michelle took her 19-month-old twins, Jimmy and Julianna (see photos), for their first trip through the car wash. She thought they might enjoy it; instead, they began crying hysterically, clearly terrified by the onslaught of water, brushes, and noise. That night when Daddy got home, they immediately told him all about it…with signs: CAR + BATH+ SAD/CRY! For weeks afterward, when they would get in the car they would repeat the same “sentence” just to make sure Mom wouldn’t forget and take them there again!

Yup! Sometimes one word (or sign) alone isn’t nearly enough!

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

Linda

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

A Window into the Infant Mind

Much to my delight, the good news about baby sign language has spread far and wide—especially in contrast to how few people knew anything about it when Dr. Susan Goodwyn and I published our first research article about babies and signing in 1985.

I do find, however, that many parents and child care providers still focus almost exclusively on the mealtimes signs—like EAT, DRINK, MILK, MORE, ALL DONE. What a shame! Yes, babies want and need to communicate these things, but many of them are even more interested in communicating about the exciting things they see in the world around them.


Here’s a true story from out book, Baby Signs, that illustrates my point:

Abby, 14 months old, was visiting her aunt. When bedtime rolled around, her dad tucked her into bed in her cousin’s room. Just after he switched off the light and closed the door, he heard Abby calling “Dada!” in an excited voice. Switching the light back on and peeking in, he saw Abby wiggling her fingers in the air—her sign for “stars.” He looked around in vain for any stars and simply settled her down again. But then, as he switched off the light and took one last peek into the room, he realized what Abby had seen. The ceiling was covered with fluorescent stars! Invisible with the lights on, the stars appeared as if by magic as soon as they were off. “You’re right! There are stars!” said her dad as he lifted her up to touch them. What a shame if Dad had missed the chance to share his daughter's excitement.

Babies want to tell those they love that they see things that amaze them—like Abby’s stars. They want to request to read a book, to blow bubbles, or to swing on a swing. Providing babies with signs for these things, as we do in the Baby Signs® Program, gives them a chance to share their worlds with adults—and gives adults an amazing window into the infant mind.


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

Linda

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