One time when Annie was just little a friend of ours was offering her some candy.  Annie looked at me to see if it was okay.  Without my friend seeing me I signed “no, no”, to Annie.  She looked at my friend and shook her head no.  My friend looked at me in amazement and said, “wow you hardly ever see a kid turn down candy”.  I acted like I was surprised too… little did she know I was just using sign language to let Annie know exactly what I wanted to.

I’ve also used sign language when we’re out playing at a park or other public places when it’s too loud for my kids to hear me or I just don’t feel like yelling at the top of my lungs.  The other parents watch as we sign back and forth.  They’re always so impressed when my kids follow whatever instructions I “secretly” gave to the kids.  I love using sign language!  I wish more people knew it, because it really is a lot of fun.

Andrea Ploehn