When it comes to parenting, everyone seems to have an opinion. As a mother of three, I’ve grown accustomed to unsolicited advice from friends, family, and even strangers. Most of the time, I nod politely and thank them for their “helpful” tips. However, yesterday was a different story.
While picking up my 4-year-old from preschool, I had my youngest nestled on my hip when a woman I barely recognize asked if I was planning to teach him sign language. Really? Is that the new norm in parenting circles? Sure, I’ve heard of some parents introducing their little ones to signing, but I’m not convinced it’s necessary for my family.
I have a solid understanding of my baby’s needs and wants without the need for signs. Plus, I’m not fluent in sign language, and the thought of learning it just to teach my baby sounds utterly ridiculous. Who has the time to add a new language to the mix? Right now, I’m barely managing to keep up with everyday life, let alone diving into sign language or any other language like Portuguese.
And let’s be real—most people in our family won’t know sign language either. How will my baby communicate with Grandma, Dad, or his siblings? It seems unrealistic to expect everyone to be on board. I recently had to teach my 91-year-old grandmother to use Facebook, so I think I’ll skip the sign language instructor role for now, especially just so my 11-month-old can express a desire to be picked up.
Instead, I plan to teach my baby some gestures that he can use throughout his life—simple, universal signals that everyone will understand. These motions will be more practical, allowing him to express himself clearly and effectively. Once he’s mastered these, he can move on to words, and I’ll feel accomplished in my parenting journey.
Here are the top ten signs I’ll be teaching him:
- The Finger: The classic “You know what!” gesture. If he’s anything like me, he’ll find plenty of opportunities to use it.
- The Bite Me: A playful crotch grab—great for comedic effect, especially when impersonating a famous performer.
- The Hang Ten: The Shaka sign is not just a Hawaiian staple; it’s also a great reminder to stay chill in stressful situations.
- The World’s Smallest Violin: Rubbing your thumb and forefinger together to convey sarcasm. This will be a family favorite!
- The Thumbs Up: Universally recognized, this gesture signifies all things good. Doctors, truckers, and scuba divers can all agree on this one.
- The A-OK: Another universal sign, signaling that everything is just fine—better than fine, actually.
- The Cuckoo Sign: Pointing to your temple and making a circular motion when someone is talking nonsense. Expect him to use this one on me!
- The Blah-Blah-Blah: A hand gesture that mimics an overzealous speaker—definitely a necessary skill in our household.
- Loser: The classic “L” shaped sign on your forehead. A timeless classic that never goes out of style.
- Talk to the Hand: My 4-year-old has already nailed this one, and I’m sure he’ll pass it on to his sibling.
Teaching my baby these gestures will pave the way for effective communication, and I can’t wait to see him use them. For more tips on parenting and perhaps enhancing your family’s fertility journey, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy or explore how to boost fertility with various supplements. If you’re interested in home insemination, consider this baby-making kit for an easy start.
In summary, while some may advocate for teaching sign language to babies, I believe in focusing on simple, universally understood gestures that will benefit my child for a lifetime. After all, effective communication is key, and I’m all about keeping it practical.
Keyphrase: Teaching baby gestures
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