When it comes to parenting, everyone seems to have an opinion. As a mother of three, I’ve grown accustomed to the unsolicited advice, but it can still be quite frustrating. Typically, when a stranger or even an acquaintance tries to share their “expertise” (which I often view as unwarranted chatter), I simply nod along, feigning interest while thanking them for their “valuable” input. However, yesterday, I found myself feeling a bit irked.
I was just picking up my 4-year-old from preschool, with my baby comfortably on my hip, when a woman I recognized but barely knew asked if I planned on teaching my baby sign language. I was taken aback. Sure, I’ve heard of parents introducing sign language to their little ones, but is this really the new norm?
That’s not for me, though. I understand my baby’s needs and desires pretty well already. Our family has a busy schedule, and he communicates his wants clearly without needing sign language. Plus, I don’t know sign language myself, so the idea of learning it just to teach my 11-month-old seems downright absurd. Why not throw in learning Portuguese while I’m at it? No, thanks!
Additionally, not everyone in our family is going to be fluent in sign language. How will my baby communicate with Grandma, his dad, or his siblings? I’m not about to take on the role of a sign language instructor for the entire family just so my baby can ask to be picked up. Instead, I plan to teach him gestures that will be useful throughout his life—simple, universally understood motions that everyone around him will recognize. With these gestures, he’ll have the tools to express himself effectively, becoming a concise communicator before he even starts speaking.
Here are the top ten signs I’ll focus on:
- The Finger: A classic universal symbol for “You’ve got to be kidding me!” If he takes after me, he’ll master this one quickly.
- The Bite Me: A cheeky crotch grab goes a long way. Bonus points if he channels Michael Jackson while doing it!
- The Hang Ten: The Shaka sign, a staple in Hawaiian culture, is all about good vibes. I’ll need this reminder myself when stress creeps in.
- The World’s Smallest Violin: By rubbing his thumb and forefinger together, he can express sarcasm. We have a lot of that in our family, so he’ll fit right in.
- The Thumbs Up: Universally recognized, this gesture signifies approval, used by everyone from doctors to divers. It’s a thumbs-up for life!
- The A-Okay: Similar to the thumbs up, this sign radiates positivity and indicates everything is just dandy.
- The Cuckoo Sign: When someone’s talking nonsense, he can simply point to his temple and make a circular motion—it’s a family tradition!
- The Blah-Blah-Blah: This gesture mimics an overzealous boss droning on. Trust me, mastering this one is essential for survival in our household.
- Loser: He can form an “L” with his hand and place it on his forehead—a classic move that’s sure to get some laughs.
- Talk to the Hand: My 4-year-old has already mastered this one, and I’m sure he’ll be excited to teach it to his baby sibling!
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In summary, while some might advocate for teaching sign language to babies, I prefer to focus on gestures that will serve my child well throughout his life. These simple signs will help him communicate effectively with those around him, ensuring he can express himself as he grows.