Sign of the Week - FAST and SLOW

Children love describing words. Two of these words, FAST and SLOW, are not only fun words to sign, they are also fun concepts to identify. Look for things that are moving FAST or SLOW in your child's environment.

Click on the word below or on the poster image to download the printable poster:

Fast and Slow

Happy 4th of July!

Wishing you a very happy 4th of July! Sign FIREWORKS by holding up your fists palm out and flicking your fingers out with alternating hands, like FIREWORKS exploding!

See FIREWORKS signed here:  FIREWORKS

Sign of the Week - BOAT

BOAT

Whether you are at the ocean or in the bathtub, you can use this sign to talk about the BOATS your child sees. To sign BOAT, cup hands together and bob them forward as if in the water.  Add descriptive words/signs like big or little, tall or short, and colors to expand your child's vocabulary.

Click here for PDF link.

Sign of the Week - LION

LION

Are you planning a trip to the zoo? LIONS are always a favorite attraction. This sign will give your child a way to tell you she sees a LION. LIONS can also be seen in many children's books, videos, and in zoo-themed decorations. See if you can find a LION! Click on the word below or on the poster image to download the printable poster: Lion

The Three R's for Teaching Signs and Vocabulary to Children

Relevant:

Make signs/words you are teaching the child relevant to his or her daily life - does it help them express their wants and needs or is it something they are really interested in talking about?

Repetition:

Children need a lot of repetition to learn a new word, so try to use the 5 times rule – find ways to use the word 5 times in quick succession emphasizing the word. Look for and even make opportunities to practice the word throughout the day. 

Reinforcement: Praise the child's attempts even if it is not quite correct. With practice, repetition and modeling, they will improve over time, but if they become discouraged and don't try, they cannot improve. You learn by your mistakes! It is also important to reinforce the child's use of the signs by immediately following through with the action that the sign indicates if you can. If they sign MORE, give them more immediately so they understand the connection between the sign/word and getting more. If something works, then it increases the likelihood that it will occur again. If it doesn't seem to work, your baby will probably stop trying. Consistency is key.

Click here for PDF copy.

Sign of the Week - BIRD

As the weather warms, BIRDS start to return to our neighborhoods. Children will use the sign for BIRD to tell you when they see BIRDS or when they hear BIRDS. One mom even shared a story about her daughter signing BIRD on the swing, because the little girl felt like she was flying like a BIRD!

To sign BIRD,  use your thumb and index finger to make a "beak" at your mouth and open and close.

Click on the word below or on the poster image to download the printable poster:

 Bird

Sign of the Week - STRAWBERRY

It's beginning to feel like summer here, and STRAWBERRIES are the perfect summer fruit in my opinion! By themselves, in a salad or STRAWBERRY shortcake, what could be a better summer treat? So point them out to your little ones and show them this sign next time you go shopping for them in the grocery store or the roadside fruit stand.

To sign STRAWBERRY, hold tip of pinky finger and twist like removing a strawberry from the stem.

Click on the link to see and print the poster: https://www.babysigns.com/pdf/Strawberry.pdf

Happy signing!