Signing with your baby is a great activity for both parent and child. We have now written
numerous articles covering the benefits of baby sign language, the application of baby sign language for children with autism or other special needs, keys for success with baby sign language, and other general information on the subject. Also, we have begun sharing some of our favorite signs with our followers. In this article, we cover some more of our most popular signs, covering baby’s greetings and niceties.

So get ready to have a blast signing with your baby!

Greetings and Niceties

We all want polite little babies that grow up to be polite boys and girls. As such, we need to teach them how to greet others and be polite, and it is never too soon to start. I find the words in this blog to be some of the most satisfying to teach and use.

Hello

Now that your child is talking, you can tell each other “hello.” You and your child will have fun greeting each other with this sign. Make and ASL “B,” holding your four fingers straight up and laying your thumb across your palm. Move your “B hand,” putting your index finger at your temple. Next, move your hand out in a saluting motion.

Bye-Bye

It may be hard, but sometimes Mommy or Daddy must say “bye-bye” and go to work (or just get away). There is nothing cuter than baby waiving bye-bye.
To sign bye-bye, place your hand parallel to your body with fingers pointing up. Move all of your fingers up and down.

Please

Baby should always remember to say “please.” Truly, if baby wants something from you, she should ask politely, and use the “magic word.”

And you will not be able to resist her when baby makes this sign. To say please, place your palm against your chest and make a circle.

Thank You

Baby needs to learn to answer the ever popular question, “What do you say?” After Mommy or Daddy has done something nice for baby, she should tell them “thank you,” of course. And you can thank your child when she has been a sweet little girl. For thank you, place the tips of your fingers on your chin and move your hand down with fingertips pointing away from your chin.

Sorry

Sometimes, baby makes a boo-boo. Ok, sometimes baby makes lots of boo-boos. It would be nice, and polite, for baby to say she is “sorry.” Believe me; you won’t hold a grudge for long. To sign sorry, make an ASL “S” by making a fist with your thumb wrapped around the outside of your fingers. Now place the “S” over your heart and make a circle.

I Love You

I have saved the best polite sign for last. Love is what makes the world go ‘round. And your heart will truly melt when baby
signs “I Love You.” Now, when you tell your little one you love her, make this sign. Hold your hand up with your pinky finger, index finger and thumb extended (Pretend you’re at a hard rock concert!). Try not to tear up the first time baby makes this sign.

Well, there you go…Six signs to help baby become a nice polite little one. These are great signs to start teaching your baby to sign. As always, good luck and happy signing!

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This entry was posted on Monday, December 21st, 2009 at 1:49 pm and is filed under Parenting Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.