So I’ve been trying really hard to stick to an exercise program and eating healthy. I think the whole summer was one big party for me as far as food goes. We had vacation after vacation… which meant I pretty much ate anything and everything I could think of. I started to feel so gross, my body was achy and I was tired all the time.
That’s pretty bad for me because I’m one of those “weird” natural foods type people. I don’t buy sugar, butter, white flour, cheese, any processed foods… you get the picture. I don’t even own a microwave because I’m a lot less likely to eat junky food that’s quick and easy to cook if I can’t just pop it in the microwave. Anyway, I’m telling you that so that you’ll understand how disgusting I was this summer. For instance, the night I ate a half gallon of moose tracks ice cream with two additional Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups crunched up in it and an additional squirt of the chocolate shell stuff on top. I don’t even want to think about how many calories that was. Or there was the time that we went to the movies and I ate 3 big boxes of different kinds of candies;licorice, Swedish fish, and Reece’s pieces. I think it’s safe to say I have a sweet tooth! I’m one of those people that I have to finish the whole thing too. So if I take too much in the first place, I’ll pack it all in until it’s gone. I love the I’m so full I can’t breath feeling, gross, I know.
Okay I’m done blabbering, I just wanted to accurately convey how far I had “fallen”. So as an update, I’m eating awsome and I’ve excersized everyday for the past two weeks. I’ve already lost 5 lbs, which is great, because soon I’ll be able to graduate from my sweat pants (which are currently the only things that fit me).
If anyone is in the same boat as me, I hope that we can motivate each other and reach our goals. Good luck and I’ll keep you updated.
This is Holly from Holly Tried It. I just started a new blog to put my posts on baby sign language in. I’m curious why you decided to stop signing with your son when you are obviously dedicated to baby signing. I’m not being critical…I’m just curious. I know that as my two-year-old grows and becomes incredibly verbal the use of sign language has changed and has taken some adjustment on my part.
Since you have started signing with your son again, do you plan to continue signing with the baby even he passes the toddler years?
Just curious!
Answer:
Hey Holly,
Great question. The truth is, with both of my older children I had always planned on continuing to sign with them even after they began to verbalize. In both cases I brought back sign language when another “non speaking” baby came into the house. I especially want my children to be fluent in sign language as a second language. I’ve been trying to pin point what the reason was for me not continuing, but maybe part of the reason is they start to venture into other new things like reading and writing. I don’t find myself using sign language when I’m teaching them this I think mostly because I’m focusing on sounds and phonics.
I definitely want to keep up the signing during the every day stuff though, the kids and I absolutely love it. You’ll have to stay on me and make sure I’m not slacking off. I’m proud of you for staying so dedicated with your little girl. Thanks for the question.
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I just had a new baby and my 2 year old has started to act up. I know he’s not getting quite as much attention as he used to. So I decided to find activities that he’s good at that can make him feel important in a short amount of time. When he was a baby I taught him American sign language. He learned over 200 signs. When he started to talk more and more, we just didn’t use the signs as much. But now, as a positive reinforcer, I’ve brought back the signs when we are watching a cartoon, reading a book, sitting down to eat, or learning about colors. I can tell he is already starting to respond, because he feels cool (probably because he’s doing something the baby can’t). I’ve also tried to involve him in teaching the new baby signs. He loves this! I can tell it makes him feel so important and it allows him to interact with the baby in a positive way. If my toddler starts to get rough with his new brother I distract him by asking him to teach the baby another sign. He’ll grab his brothers chubby little hands and try to make him do the sign.. it’s pretty darn cute.
Everybody told me that it gets harder to get back into shape with each kid you have, and they weren’t lying. I don’t know if it’s just because my body has gone through so much or if it’s lack of time and motivation. Now that I have three kids, I definately don’t have as much time for myself as I used to. And by the time they go to bed all I want to do is sleep. Too bad I’m still nursing every 2 hours at night!
Well, because it’s been so hard for me to get motivated, I thought I would announce publicly that I am going to set a goal to loose 15 pounds in 8 weeks. I hope I’m not being too optimistic, but I’m sick of feeling out of shape. So, I’ll keep you all updated on my progress… I’m going to have to push it.
If anyone has any great suggestions on what they’ve done, I’d love to hear it. Or if you just want to cheer me on I wont mind that either. signing4baby@hotmail.com
I’ve been reading your blog and visiting your website. I also sign with my daughter. The early benefits have been amazing! Besides all the typically mentioned early communication skills, sign language is helping her to start early reading and spelling skills (she’s 27 months old). But I’ve been wondering, when do the benefits of learning sign language “wear off”? Is there an age where it all seems to even out between signing babies and non-signers? I’ve read Acredolo’s study about the increased IQ points, but I’ve also read that early advances seem to even out by 3 years old and another that says they even out by 3rd grade.Hmmm…What’s with the fascination with 3?
Holly Miller http://hollytriedit.blogspot.com/search/label/sign%20language
Answer:
Thanks for emailing me, I love talking about sign language. As far as any research that I’ve read about child development advances in connection with using sign language, I have only seen studies that are documented up to the age of 8, like you said. I’m not aware of any other studies that have tracked a group of children past that point.
If you want my personal opinion though, I think that there are so many other benefits connected with using sign language as a child that last a life time. Besides the academic benefits of early reading skills, spelling advancements, language development, and enhanced verbal abilities, etc… I feel that signing with children allows for them to develop abilities that aren’t typically documented by research. For instance, the ability for the child to connect in unique ways with others and build greater self esteem, increasing memory storage and problem solving abilities, learning to communicate and problem solve in multiple ways (visual, audio, and sensory), and learning a second recognized language, etc…
So to answer the question, when does it “wear off”, I honestly don’t think it does. No matter what, children that use sign language are being exposed to a unique and special way of communicating that I feel gives them the “upper hand” in child development.
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Sometimes when I talk to parents about using baby sign language with their children they are hesitant to “add another thing” to their busy schedule. The amazing thing about using American sign language with your child is that it’s incredibly easy.
When I teach my baby sign language class we start out by showing a few pictures and have the class play a little game of cherades. They can’t use any words or sounds, only gestures. Out of a stack of about 20 pictures the class is pleasantly surprised after the game. The reason: generally the students without knowing the American Sign Language (ASL) sign for the picture end up using the correct gesture for that sign.
American Sign Language is a visual language the comes naturally to many people, especially babies. Before your child can talk and without any encouragement from their parents, babies will almost always use gestures to communicate. Children will reach or point at objects they want, bang their hands on the table to get a reaction, and even shake their heads in objection to something, etc, etc…
For those parents that feel it would be too difficult to add “another thing” to the routine, l’ll let you in on a little secret. Using sign language with your child is easy and in the long run you will be thanking me for helping you avoid frustration and tantrums. Your child’s ability to use sign language will amaze you, it’s almost 2nd nature. And you’ll find yourself using the signs without even thinking twice about them after a few days.
I promise, you wont feel like you have to find the time to sign, you’ll be looking for opportunities to use them.
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The person I buy mobde from is named Beverly Jones, she’s doing a contest to give away a little girls mini vee shirt, so if you’re interested you can check out her blog at www.modbefashion.blogspot.com