Does Time of Day Matter?
While it is true that there are periods throughout a baby’s day in which he is more alert, signing opportunities may not always occur during those periods. It is one thing to wait for such a time before reading a book to your child or doing an activity with him, but you don’t necessarily have that option with signing. Signing opportunities crop up at all sorts of times throughout the day, including mealtimes, diaper changes, outside time, and numerous other times when your baby may or may not be at his most alert. All of this is not to say that you cannot take advantage of times when your baby is most alert. On the contrary, you should watch for these moments and use them to introduce a sign for a toy, a pet, or another interesting object.
There is at least one sign that cannot be taught during an alert period and that instead must be demonstrated at bedtime and naptime. That sign, of course, is SLEEP. Your child will not understand the concept of sleep unless he is sleepy or preparing to go to bed.
E-SSENTIAL
If you are trying to determine your child’s periods of alertness, there are a few points throughout the day that are often a baby’s best times for learning. While every baby is different, watch for alertness during the following times: after feedings but before naptimes, early evening before bed, and about an hour after waking up in the morning.
Your signing efforts will be most effective if you demonstrate the signs at a natural time. Signing, after all, must become a way of life for you and your baby. The best way for that to happen is to incorporate baby sign language as seamlessly as possible into everything you do.
