More, More, More!

If you read yesterday's entry, you know that I promised a big milestone update.

Well, yesterday, Elina signed for the first time!

More is the sign she does for wanting food. We started signing with her about two months ago, and honestly I was about ready to call it a failed project. At first, we signed lots of words like play, ball, eat, all done, sleep, etc. After a while I decided maybe it would be simpler for us and her if we just really focused on one important sign.

These past few weeks we have started to notice how frustrated Elina gets when she cannot express herself.

She screams and whines, and who could blame her? Almost nothing is more frustrating than not being able to communicate our wants and needs. We all want to feel heard, to feel understood. This was a big step in that direction.

Elina eating a well deserved snack for signing "more" for the camera

Signing can be a helpful tool for kids with Down Syndrome. Often they have some degree of speaking delay. In addition to this, a combination of different things (hypotonia, smaller mouths, brain processing) can often make it difficult for some to pronounce words. Signing is a way for them to communicate in addition to speaking.


One resource that has helped us is "Baby Signing Time".

No, It doesn't teach kids how to sign on its own (at least probably not at her age). What it does help with is putting the signs firmly in the parents minds. The catchy songs make it hard to forget what sign means what. Plus, it is a good reminder to keep practicing the signs when you talk to your kids.


We hope that this makes it easier for Elina to communicate. Seeing the look of pride and understanding on her face when she signs is a great reward for all the hard work we have been putting into her growth.