Process of Elimination

I think we have all experienced the process of elimination when communicating with our family and peers.

When it comes to children learning how to communicate with their words, process of elimination can become long and drawn out with tantrums in between. But with signing, the process can become not only faster but quite joyful.

Take for instance, my 18 month old. We were at a friend's house, and he came into the kitchen where both the other mom and I were standing. Wait, let's tell this story from my 18 month old's perspective:

"So, I was standing there clearly signing 'cheese' like my mom had taught me. She looked over at the other mom and kept talking about how cute I was signing 'train'. I thought for sure this was how to sign 'cheese' (put one pointer finger on top of the other and move them them back and forth).

I tried it again to no avail, so I began moving closer to the refridgerator and pointing to it. I don't know why my mom didn't get it. She then asked the other mom jokingly but seriously if there was a train in the fridge (remembering I was looking in there earlier). It was then that she put the two together. Good job mom. Under 45 seconds!"

So, yes, my son had to wait a little while, signing anxiously an approximation sign for 'cheese' that resembled train. These thoughts went through my head: was there a train toy he just played with, was there a train magnet on the fridge, was there literally a train in the fridge (yes, funny, but I thought maybe a train picture was on a container of some sort). I then realized that about 10 minutes earlier he was given string cheese and therefore wanted more. I opened the fridge, signed 'cheese' and told him good job over and over, smiling from ear to ear.

Our children learn the process of elimination too... adding more details to what they need or want and being patient in helping us learn what they need or want.

Enjoy the journey.

Written by Shawna Tran

iPad iPhone app by SignShine--- 17 moths old Stella Signs!

Here is another review on SignShine app--- I am so humbled with Stella and her signing.

Kristine, Stella's mom: "I know I already reviewed the SignShine app last month, but since purchasing additional songs, it has become one of her favorites, and I have an update to share. In the last few days, her signs have evolved to express emotions by using her facial expressions with her hands. (Note her furrowed brow and pouty lips for the “wha-wha-wha” part of the “Wheels on the Bus” song.) So cool!"

etel: "I am so humbled by you and your daughter's story. Seeing Stella signing with SignShine's app is just a dream come true! Before programming the app, I had the mental picture of a mom and a baby enjoying learning these songs together… and you simply brought it to life. I am so delighted to see that. You are a very special mom. You show the world that electronics are not just used as a 'babysitter' but that it is miraculous to enjoy, learn and communicate together with your baby".

11.11.11 Is it a Special Sign?

11.11.11. November 11, 2011 is such a special day that comes around once every hundred years. 

So remember to take time on 11.11.11 to do something really special with your little ones! It's a once in a lifetime chance. 11.11.11. November 11, 2011 is such a special day that comes around once every hundred years. Don't forget to take advantage of celebrating this day with your family and loved ones. If you're signing with your children, take time in the day to have fun with them and sign along to songs. Your children love hearing songs and what better way to spend time with them than to listen to songs together. They'll surely appreciate having their mommy or daddy sign with them on this special day. 

Keep Shining and Celebrating,

etel

A Father and Son Moment

A young father recently shared with me that his little boy woke up in the middle of the night and was crying. At first the new dad couldn’t figure out what was wrong, but then he noticed his son using his hands. Both he and his wife had been teaching their baby sign language, and their baby was learning sign language at his child care center. So when the little 11 month old looked at his dad, and signed ‘more music’, the father, recognized his signs, and began singing a lullaby to his little boy. The boy put his head on his dad’s shoulder and went back to sleep as his daddy sang him a lullaby. How wonderful to be understood! How great that the father was able to recognize his signs and to understand the intent the boy had in communicating to his father. How wonderful that the baby could feel understood and respected! ahhhh, the beauty of sign language.

Babies, when given a mode of communication that is available to them, can express themselves even when they don't yet have their vocal chords fully developed. They feel empowered with the use of their hands and intentional eye contact.

Expression through Signing

I went to a Korean Pop concert in New York this past weekend. During a break in the artists' performances, I was pleasantly surprised when the pop artists were featured signing, representing feelings of what their music has to offer.



With signing being a part of my life, I can't help but feel the empowerment of expression through the means of multiple facets.

Written by Shawna Tran

Dedicated to Steve Jobs, 1955 – 2011

I woke up this morning to this beautiful blog alert which was written by Kristin, Digital Baby. I was honored to have this blog dedicated to Steve Jobs.

"Someone suggested that I try this SignShine app with Stella to sign with music. The iPad app is free to download, and it includes one free song (Itsy Bitsy Spider). For $2.99, you can get a package of 10 additional children’s songs. The woman in the video is Etel Leit, whose gorgeous smile seems to extend right down to her hands. She is a great teacher.
Stella caught on very quickly, and I’m tempted to get the 10-pack. I’ve actually seen other moms/caregivers use similar actions while singing songs to Stella (even in Nursery last Sunday!), but Stella seemed to be more engaged in this video format. Then again, anything transmitting from her beloved iPad is gold.
(Dedicated to Steve Jobs, 1955 – 2011)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNE0mvQxwtw&feature=player_embedded

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Kristin and Stella: I am proud of both of you. It makes me really happy to see you using SignShine's app and having so much fun signing The Itsy Bitsy Spider together. Stella is definitely enjoying connecting with YOU, Mommy, and learning how to communicate with YOU. Seeing the two of you learn and play together inspires me and I'm sure it inspires others who watch this video!

I am honored to feature on your blog.

Thank you so much for spreading the Sign! Keep on Signing and Shining!

With much gratitude,

etel leit

Owner/Founder

SignShine

How a Baby Can Sign “Rhinoceros”

Sign Language has been typically associated with the deaf, but in reality, it can also benefit the lives of the hearing, which is showcased none-so-apparently than through a video of two of the most adorable children I have ever laid eyes on. I might be a bit more biased because I do get to see them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but I’m sure after watching this video, you would agree as well. My daughter Zoë (almost four in the video) and my son Dylan (16 months at the time) are reading to each other, first a book about animals and then a book about people. The truly amazing part of the video is when Zoë helps Dylan do the correct sign for rhinoceros. As their mother, I’m very proud of how well they’re communicating with each other and I definitely love seeing them get along so well. You can tell that Dylan is starting to verbalize some of these words, which is wonderful because words like “whale” aren’t typically taught to children until much later. This is a wonderful video to show how beneficial sign language can be for your family—you have time to take a break and record videos of them while your children read books to each other!

etel leit