Parenting is often met with unsolicited opinions and advice, a reality I’ve grown accustomed to, especially as a mother of three. Yet, the constant barrage of suggestions can still be quite irksome. For instance, just yesterday, while picking up my four-year-old from preschool with my youngest comfortably balanced on my hip, a familiar face approached me and asked if I intended to teach my baby sign language. This raised an eyebrow for me. Is teaching infants sign language now a common practice?
While I respect that some parents choose to introduce sign language, it’s not something I plan to adopt. I have a strong grasp of my baby’s needs and desires, and frankly, my schedule is already jam-packed. He articulates his wants quite effectively without any gestures. Moreover, I don’t have proficiency in sign language; the thought of learning an entirely new language just to communicate with my infant seems overwhelming. Why not add learning Portuguese to my plate as well? Absolutely not!
It’s also worth considering that not everyone in our family will be fluent in sign language. How will my baby communicate with his grandparents or siblings? I’m not about to take on the role of a sign language instructor for the entire family just so my 11-month-old can express a desire to be held.
Instead, I’ll focus on teaching him gestures that will prove useful throughout his life—universal signs that everyone will recognize. With these skills, he can communicate effectively without needing to rely solely on words. Here are the ten gestures I plan to teach:
- The Finger: This classic gesture conveys a strong sentiment and, if he’s anything like me, will be used quite liberally.
- The Bite Me: A simple yet effective way to express frustration, especially when accompanied by a cheeky gesture.
- The Hang Ten: Known as the Shaka sign in Hawaiian culture, it symbolizes a laid-back attitude—something we could all benefit from.
- The World’s Smallest Violin: Rubbing the thumb and forefinger together mimics playing a violin and is a great way to express sarcasm, which is prevalent in our household.
- The Thumbs Up: Universally recognized, this sign conveys approval and positivity, making it a valuable communication tool.
- The A-Okay: Similar to the thumbs up, this sign indicates that everything is fine, or even better than fine.
- The Cuckoo Sign: When someone begins speaking nonsense, a quick circle at the temple with a finger will effectively convey your thoughts about their sanity.
- The Blah-Blah-Blah: This gesture mimics a boss droning on about irrelevant topics and is essential for navigating everyday life here.
- Loser: Forming an “L” shape with the thumb and index finger and placing it on the forehead is a playful jab that’s become a family staple.
- Talk to the Hand: This gesture has already been mastered by my four-year-old and will surely be passed down to the baby.
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In summary, while the idea of teaching sign language to infants is gaining traction, I prefer to focus on gestures that convey clear communication and will serve my child throughout his life.
Keyphrase: Top gestures for infants
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