The sky is full of spectacular things for your baby to see. Demonstrating the signs for these things can also provide you with numerous opportunities for quality time. For example, spend some time on a beautiful sunny day lying in the grass and watching the clouds go by. Or, on a warm rainy day, take your child outside to jump in the puddles. For a nighttime excursion, point out the stars and the moon to your baby. All of these will give your child a learning experience as well as bonding time with you.

CLOUD

The sign for CLOUD (Figure 15–5) is formed by making fluffy cloud shapes with your hands.

• 1. Spread both hands open.

• 2. Hold one hand palm up and the other hand hovering over it palm down.

• 3. Slowly move both hands to the side, making arcs as you go to indicate the fluffiness of clouds.

MOON

To remember the sign for MOON ( SEE DVD) just think of your eye looking toward the moon at night.

• 1. Curve the thumb and first finger of your right hand into a crescent shape and hold it up to your face.

• 2. Pull your hand up and away from your face a few inches.

RAIN

RAIN is a fairly straightforward sign and might be just what you would expect.

• 1. Hold your hands up with your fingers extended, as shown in Figure 15–6 .

• 2. Bring your hands down to indicate raindrops falling.

• 3. Repeat the motion to complete the sign.

Figure 15–6 Rain

The next time a rainy day keeps you and your baby indoors, use the sign in a song as you watch the rain fall. There are plenty of children’s rain-related songs you can use, including “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” “Rain Rain Go Away,” and “It’s Raining, It’s Pouring.”

SNOW

Once you’ve learned the sign for RAIN, the sign for SNOW ( SEE DVD) is very simple to master.

• 1. As with RAIN, hold your hands up with your fingers extended.

• 2. As you bring your hands down, however, flutter your fingers to represent the lightness of snowflakes falling.

Playing in the snow is a very sensory experience. Not only is the snow beautiful to look at, it is also interesting to touch, taste, and hear. Let your child feel how cold the snow is with her hand. Ask her to listen to the sound of crunching footsteps. Set out a clean container to collect the snow and let her taste it. These experiences will be educational for her and fun for you both.

STAR

Think of the sign for STAR as representing a shooting star.

• 1. Extend your index fingers and touch them together, as shown in Figure 15–7 .

• 2. Raise one finger several inches above the other, as shown in Figure 15–8 .

• 3. Raise the other finger above the first.

• 4. Repeat, alternating fingers.

SUN

The sign for SUN ( SEE DVD) is the same as the sign for LIGHT as demonstrated in Chapter 14.

• 1. Hold your hand slightly above your head, fingertips pressed together and facing toward your head.

• 2. Open your fingers wide as if indicating a flash.

THUNDER

The sign for THUNDER ( SEE DVD) is a two-motion sign.

• 1. Touch your ear with your index finger to indicate something is being heard.

• 2. Shake both fists in the air to represent a vibrating noise.

As the second motion will probably be the most fascinating of the two to your child, you may find that he forgets the first part altogether.

Thunder can be a frightening noise for a young child. To combat this problem, try being silly while demonstrating the sign. Make funny (but happy) faces and exaggerate the shaking of the fists. When your baby signs in return, react with glee. This will help your child to equate the sound of thunder with something fun.