In a message dated 8/2/2003 12:07:20 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

>  Alis, if you are so inclined, go for it with learning sign language
> and see where it takes you!

my 1st son was speech delayed. we decided to teach him some basic sign
language to help w/ communication by the time he was 2. he learned 85 words before
he was 27 mos and was only speaking about 4 clearly. my younger son picked it
up almost effortlessly at the same time. they have always used the sign 'happy'
for 'breastfeed' or 'nurse'.  :-)   (and verbally mama's milk has always been
'moij' and for a while there i was 'Bob')
i'll never forget the time we were in a toy store just this spring and jake
(then a little over 3, now a little over 3 1/2) was around the endcap of candy,
looking at toys and candy on the opposite side. i have bells on every pair of
shoes they own, so i could hear him jingling away right over there as i
perused the coupon flyer. he comes jingling up to my side and tugs my hand. he has
in tow a smaller boy, crying. i ask the little boy if he is lost, where's his m
ama, what's his name, does he know his mama's name? the little boy just kept
sort of wringing his hands and stiffening his fingers. i was sorely puzzled
until jake gave me a scowl and said, 'mumma, him no talk wif him wips, him talk
wif him hands wike me do! him 'CARED!' and it hit me the wringing and
stiffening of the fingers at chest level was pretty much the sign for 'afraid'. and
jake was so impatient w/ me for not recognizing it after all the time i've spent
teaching them (from a book). LOL. good thing somebody pays attention when i'm
talking, i don't know how long it would have taken me to realize the little
boy WAS answering me. we paged for the little boy's mom and she came hurrying
up frantically and all had a happy ending.
~jacqui gruttadauria

"bobo, what are you doing to deedle?"
"pankin him butt, mumma"
"bobo, we don't spank in this house"
"ony pank him outside, mumma?"


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