Signs for Man-Made Sights
Humans have left their mark in the great outdoors. Even in your own front yard, your baby will be exposed to these man-made sights, and she will likely be curious about many of them. She will particularly want to know about her own home. It is a structure that she sees every day, and she will probably want a label for it. Give her one with both a word and a sign. Soon, she will be signing it on her own.
HOUSEThe sign for HOUSE, as shown in Figures 15–3 and 15–4, is simple to form. You trace the outline of a house in the air.
FIGURE 15–3
FIGURE 15–4
-
1. Raise both your arms in front of you and form the top of a triangle by touching your fingertips together. This depicts the roof of a house.
-
2. Bring your hands down, outlining the shape of a box. This depicts the sides of a house.
Help your baby by using it in reference to many different houses. Point out houses of different sizes, shapes, and colors so that she has a good representation of what a house is.
HOMEWhile HOUSE refers to any building where people dwell, HOME (
-
1. Draw the tips of all of your fingers and your thumb together, as if operating a hand puppet with its mouth closed.
-
2. Touch your hand to your lips.
-
3. Bring your fingertips up to your cheek, near your ear.
Consistency is the key to using this sign. Every time you arrive home, either on foot or in the car, take a moment to show your baby the sign for HOME. Always demonstrate excitement when forming this sign so that your baby understands that home is a happy place.
STREETThe sign for STREET (
-
1. Hold your hands several inches apart in front of your body, with palms facing each other.
-
2. Move your hands outward as if outlining a road or path.
E-SSENTIAL
No matter how young your child, it is never too early to teach her to look both ways before crossing the street. Any time you cross the street with your child, stop and look both ways, and narrate your actions. This will instill the habit in your child at an early age.
As you show this sign to your child, be sure to emphasize to her that the street is for cars to drive on, and model the sign for CAR. This gives you the opportunity to work on the signs for CAR and STREET simultaneously, and it is also a good reminder for your child that the street is not a place to play.
