Most babies and toddlers love hugs and kisses and most parents do, too. You may wonder, however, what purpose is served by introducing these signs. After all, a baby who wants a hug or a kiss will simply give it. These signs are most used by babies who are labeling the actions of others. For example, a baby may witness his family members hugging, and if he knows the sign for HUG, he can indicate it. In the same way that a baby learning to talk loves to label things with the spoken word, a baby who signs loves to label things with the sign.

HUG

The sign for HUG, as shown in Figure 18–1, is made by simply giving yourself a hug.

• 1. Cross your arms over your chest.

• 2. Grasp your upper arms, squeezing tightly as if hugging.

You may find that your baby enjoys this newfound ability to embrace himself, and he may do it frequently. If, after he forms the sign, you offer him a hug and he rejects it, it is safe to assume that he is just having fun with the sign. However, it is still important to try to hug him when he makes the sign to continue to reinforce its meaning.

KISS

The sign for KISS ( SEE DVD) is almost identical to the sign for HOME. KISS is different in that your fingers should be flat across instead of bunched up.

• 1. Draw the tips of your fingers and thumb together as if operating a hand puppet with its mouth closed. Fingers should be flat.

• 2. Touch all of your fingertips to your lips.

• 3. Move your fingers up to your cheek, almost as if you are placing a kiss on your cheek from your own lips.

In addition, because this sign starts out in much the same way as EAT, your baby may occasionally mistake one for the other. To help avoid this problem, be sure that the sign for EAT is well established before introducing the sign for KISS. If you are unsure of which sign he is indicating, try giving him a kiss. If that doesn’t placate him, he may very well be ready to eat.

If your baby already knows how to kiss or blow kisses, introducing him to this sign will be much easier. Each time he offers you a kiss, form the sign and say the word. Likewise, whenever he sees others kissing, again form the sign and say the word. This may become something of a game for him, leading him to learn the sign quickly.

I LOVE YOU

The sign for I LOVE YOU, as shown in Figure 18–2, is one that is familiar to many people.

• 1. Hold up your hand, palm facing outward.

• 2. Extend your thumb, index, and pinky fingers (your middle and ring fingers should remain folded down onto your palm).

• 3. Shake your hand slightly.

While this is a familiar and well-understood sign to many children and adults, babies and toddlers may have some difficulty forming the sign at first due to the dexterity that it requires. Just continue to model the sign when saying “I love you” and eventually, your child will acquire it.

It is also worth noting that the sign for I LOVE YOU and the sign for AIRPLANE (see Chapter 16) are almost identical. So if you think your child is signing I LOVE YOU, just be on the lookout for an airplane.