A Great Way To Understand Your Baby And Him Understanding You.

Ever wish your baby can express his needs by telling you instead of crying in distress? They can if we, parents are willing to teach them a way to. But how? Sign language may be a way.. 

Baby Liv knows how to express her needs for hunger and thirst before she learns to talk. I started sign language with her when she was at a tender age of six months old. Of course, I felt silly because it was like talking and making weird actions to myself. But I believed she would eventually understands me. One day, at nine months old, Liv started signing back at me. I was having lunch  magazine while she was busy crawling around the room. Then, I heard constant 'baaa baaa baa..." from her. Was she practicing her speech? NO! As I looked up at her, she was looking back at me impatiently with one hand holding onto her Gerber cereal snack and the other hand doing the "eat" sign! She was telling me that she wanted some snacks to eat! I was ecstatic!

Baby Liv is curious with everything around her and teaching her sign language is in fact one of the best thing to do to allow her to explore even further. 

There are so many classes for babies and as a first time mother, I was unsure of what was suitable for Liv to participate in. I understand that babies need a certain amount of exposure to their surroundings. For e.g activities, things, people etc. But at the same time I do not want to pack a string of activities for my baby that may tire her out. She is still young, she needs her own time and as much shut-eye as possible. I believe babies should not be caught up with rigid schedules. They should learn and grow on their own pace day by day, having free time for self exploring. Even if it means to simply roam around the house and pull out all his diapers from the diapers storage. Every little things happening around him is a whole new experience! Well, anyway, a mother friend of mine suggested baby sign language classes for Liv. I hesitated awhile because I was a little worried that sign language might interfere with her verbal language skills, signing rather than talking. It was then that I did some research found many benefits to it!

Stimulates brain development

When learning sign language, it requires one to use both left and right hemisphere of the brain. Whereas when learning just spoken language, it only uses the left hemisphere of the brain. Research had found that children exposed to sign language as babies has a 12 points higher I.Q. at eight years of age than non-signing children. Wow!

Improved confidence

Babies feel the increased confidence with their ability in expressing their needs. Their thoughts and feelings are easily put across. They may develop an eagerness to learn and are more willing to try a new activity. And because they understand signs, they know what is to come, they sense security and is more confident too.

Increased vocabulary and language skills

Parents are worried that sign language might hinder their child's verbal language development but in fact, research indicates that signing may actually improve vocabulary and language. Parents tend to describe more and emphasise each words we say as we sign, that in turn allow our child to be able to develop verbal language earlier. The more they are spoken to and engaged with, the more likely they are going to try on their own. 

Less Frustration

Because signing babies are able to communicate their needs, they cry and fuss less. It cuts the frustration levels in both parents and babies. Our little cute pie do not have to stage tantrums and meltdowns while we, parents do not have to keep guessing why they are distraught. 

Closer Bond

Have you wondered how babies think, see and feel? Many a times, I do wonder how Liv looks at the world. How she felt when I leave her for awhile to run errands? Was she excited over her first merry go round ride? Did something frighten her that made her cried? Sign language allows deeper understanding between us and our child. Each time he uses a sign and you respond, you build a strong bond between you and your baby. As he realises that the both of you can communicate even before he can speak to you verbally, he grows to be confident in you and trust you.

Developing a deep connection with your baby that is long lasting and irreplaceable.

Classes for sign language are readily available. Type "Sign Language Classes for Babies in Singapore" on the search engine and viola! A list of schools to choose from. Another alternative to classes is to self teach your babies, which is what I am doing now. The reason being is that I am with her most of the time. I am given the opportunities to incorporate actions in my verbal conversations with her all the time. For example, to bathe, to play, to sleep etc. She gets to communicate with me on  a daily basis too. Classes or self teach, I feel that it is beneficial anyway. Interaction is the key!

Now, at 12 months old, Liv is still practising sign language. She still do not know how to do many signs but she sure does understands me when I sign to her. More fun and less frustration between us! Teaching babies sign language requires consistency and most importantly, patience. They may seem uninterested or not paying attention to you, but they actually are! And one day, they are going to surprise you! 

Liv's hand signs can sometimes be a little off from the actual signs but it is still understandable. Here she was in the picture, signing "more" as I fed her. 

First Birthday Present To Our Baby

Greetings from Japan! The long awaited day is here! Baby Liv is one year old today and we are currently in Hokkaido to celebrate her first birthday. (She is loving the cold weather here!) Not that she can recall of, but S and I promised we would share with her these memories that were also part of hers in the form of videos and photos when she is older. (:

Konichiwa!

Very often, I would watch Liv while she is fast asleep because looking at her brings back the memories of her for the past year. I have witnessed her roll over for the first time, wave her hands for the first time, ate her food on her own for the first time.. She is growing up fast, it felt like I was pregnant with her not long ago...

I remember somewhere around week 16 of my pregnancy, I started feeling small fluttering movements in my tummy. It felt like my stomach was grumbling, as though it was digesting the food I just had. Liv's movements became more apparent to me as days went by. On some days, I would let out an "Ouch!" instantaneously. And on some nights, I would be jostled awake. Her strong karate jabs and somersaults could sometimes hurt a little but they were assuring. It was as if she was using her movements to tell me, "Mommy, I'm strong and healthy, so please do not worry." S was equally excited over her movements too. We spent every night before bed to sing and talk to her. We would gently massage my belly, hoping to feel her little elbow or knee against our palms. Sometimes if we were lucky, we probably got what it felt like a fist bump from her. The movement of life inside a mother-to-be can be the most amazing feeling she can never forget. It was a kind of indescribable bonding with my unborn baby then. (:

A day before Liv's estimated due date, she decided that she was ready to meet mom and dad. A sudden sharp pain hit me while I was sleeping. It was nothing like the usual braxton hicks I had been experiencing in the last few gestation weeks. Right then, I understood what mothers meant when they said "you'll know it when it is the real deal." Don't bother asking anyone or looking up the internet on how real labor pain feels like because it's true, I knew I was in labor when the contractions started! I could barely walk when the contractions became more regular. I was huffing and puffing with every step I took. They were way more painful than any sort of stomach cramps that I have experienced. But thank God for a considerably short labour. Well, a little fast that S and I were unable to react. >.< Baby was delivered minutes after I was told to start pushing! Liv probably felt the same way too because she looked kind of bewildered by the sudden change of environment. *laugh* One thing for sure was that she seemed to sense our presence, her cry ceased as soon as we received her from the nurse. I cradled her in my arms, her tiny body against mine. I took in her baby scent and our eyes finally met each other for the first time. At that moment, the world around me seems to come to a pause. I have been waiting to see her all these while. I used to look at her ultrasound pictures everyday, picturing her over and over again. The lips of mine, the nose of S... "She's so beautiful", I thought to myself. It was indeed love at first sight. Nine months of pregnancy related discomfort and the intense pain during labor did not matter anymore because Liv is worth it all..

"Being a young mom means that we met a little early, but it also means that I get to love you a little longer."

Today, my tummy is no longer firm and flat, neither is my hip small enough to fit into a size 0 again. But no one can bring me down by shaming me of my saggy tummy and widened hip because it is a new shape with a purpose. I love my current body more than ever and I am not shy to say that I am proud of it. It has created a new life, a miracle that I called "my child". So do all the mothers, don't feel upset nor ashamed of your postpartum body. They once provided the best environment for our babies to grow, they are beautiful. (:

Something to share with all of you, and eventually to Liv..

Our 1st birthday present to our little girl this December...

Happy 1st birthday, Liv.

With Love, 

Mom & Dad