As babies grow into toddlers, it helps to have another form of communication, rather than us doing all the talking for them like when they are infants. We found Baby Signs to be a great method. We focused on the signs for Eat, Drink, More, All Done, Thank you, You’re Welcome, Sorry, and Again. We’d sign and say the word at the same time. Eventually, we’d take our daughter’s hands and help her to make the sign. We found that she made some of them her own way. All Done is both palms up, and then turned over. Instead, she’d do that repeatedly, kind of twinkling them. But we understood. And that was the point. Communicating her needs and desires to us before she had the words to do so.

I know others that have used Baby Signs, learning and teaching even more of the words, and with the same success. It’s an effective way to prevent or lessen the tantrums that children have when they are frustrated and don’t know what else to do.

You can find certified instructors at www.babysigns.com. There is also www.weehands.com.

And I can’t forget the most important sign, that we used multiple times throughout the day, still - I Love You. From across the room, it’s a silent way to give them your support and reassurance.