Sign Language!

We met with the speech therapist for the first time today - I think she is wonderful and Hailey really liked her! Most of this visit was paperwork, but she will be coming to our house every other week to play and work with Hailey. One really cool thing we are starting right away - and something that gets Jacob involved and that he really likes - is sign language! Jacob catches on really fast and has been doing it all day to me - so here are some of the signs that we have learned so far -

Mommy

Daddy

Drink (pretend to be drinking out of a glass)

Food (pretend to be eating something with your hand)

Milk (squeeze your hand like your milking a cow)

More (tap your hands/fingers together)

Help (tap your fist together with the opposite palm)

Kimber (the therapist) says that we should create situations where Hailey will have to start using these signs (i.e. if she wants all the blocks to play with, give her one, then say 'more' while making the sign, help her make the sign until she starts to do it on her own, then give her another block, and so on). We are not supposed to use the signs and not reinforce the sign with the object (don't sign for milk then not give her any or point to the milk in the fridge).

We will keep everyone posted with updates and more signs to learn - maybe we can all learn them together. Kimber says that even babies as little as Bryce and Mackenzie can learn this stuff!