Signs of Desperation

Matt and I decided that it might be a good idea to try and teach Luke some sign language. The theory - which we have heard from other families whose parenting we highly respect - is that a few simple signs will give a child who is old enough to communicate, but not old enough to speak, the means by which to make his/her needs known. In other words, we could teach Luke to let us know that he needs more Veggie Puffs by using a sign, rather than by hollering "ma ma ma ma" in a tone that sounds more like a flock of Canadian geese flying overhead.

We decided to begin with the sign for "more" (as this would address the Canadian geese issue mentioned above). This sign is made by tapping the tips of your fingers of one hand to the tips of your fingers of the other hand. (The fingers of each hand come together as if you were holding a piece of paper between your thumb and finger tips in each hand. You then tap the finger tips of each hand together.) When he wants more food, I make the sign while saying the word "more", then help him to make it before giving him more.

Anyway, we had had little success with this sign, but we weren't discouraged as Luke is still young to be picking up on this. In fact, the only thing he was doing that approached the sign was to clap. But, as Matt put it, clapping was his way of saying "Do whatever it is I'm thinking." (i.e. more food, get me down, etc.) Still, it was encouraging that he seemed to have the idea that he could communicate by doing something with his hands.

The moment of truth, however, came this morning at the Women's Fellowship meeting. Several ladies of the church and their children meet every other Tuesday morning at the Ludovico's house. Luke had finished his bottle and was sitting on my lap while a church member spoke to the group. Then, across the room, another mother took out a bottle for her little girl. Suddenly, Luke began frantically making the "more" sign! He was so accurate that - without me even saying anything - both my mom and one of the other ladies looked over and recognized that he was making the "more" sign! So apparently, in times of desperate need, he is able to make his wishes known. (On a side note, I did not have any more formula, so instead, Luke downed most of a muffin and a half. He can be quite the eater when he sets his mind to it.)

Has he done the "more" sign since? Nope! But from what I have heard, there is often a lag between when a baby makes a sign for the first time and when he can use it consistently. We have started to notice other things that he is able to imitate as well, though. For example, when we sing "Clap Your Hands, All Ye People" he will clap and (though not a the right moment) put his hands up in the air! It sure is fun to watch this little guy being able to do more and more every day!