by Shay Vaughn

Created on: September 07, 2007

It's late afternoon and I'm sitting in that famous chicken place. You know, the one that pleads with us to "eat more chicken"! It's a fund raising night and the place is packed with kids. I'm sitting in the booth with my head buried in a bible study when suddenly from across the room a hear the words all mom's dread. "Is that your child way up there? I knew better than to try to get into a bible study in the middle of day when my kids are present. What was I thinking? I look up and see my 6 year old son straddled across the front of a miniature, black and white VW bug. This time, I am convinced that my son has gone "where no man has gone before!" Meanwhile, other children are launching into hysterics, especially the ones in the car! Well, at that point, I had everyone else's attention, including the manager who was ready and waiting to take care of business, if I was the least bit hesitant! Trust me, I was out of my seat in no time. I planted myself next to the glass and put on my "I mean business face". I knocked on the glass. That got his attention. He looked down, but didn't budge. I looked him in the eye, pursed my lips and signed three words: No, down and now! Not a sound was uttered! So what do you think got the attention of all the mommies in the room? Sign language!

From the day he was born, I began teaching my son sign language. Not because he is deaf, he is hearing, but because I had done the research and wanted to see if for myself. I can't tell you that teaching sign language to my son makes him smarter, but I can tell you that my son was temper tantrum free until the age of four!

I started with teaching him the sign for "Mama" and "Daddy", then we moved on to "milk", "eat" and "more" By the time my son was eight months old, he could tell me what he wanted, when he wanted it and how much! He could also tell me when and where he "hurt" and when he was "finished".

I've had many a mommy ask me the same question. " Doesn't that cause a delay in his speech?" My answer: "Of course not!" When I was demonstrating the sign I would also say the word. Of course when babies start to talk, it is common for the sign language skills to dissipate, but believe me, there are other situations in life when sign language is beneficial to the entire family. How many times have you been in the movie theater (especially a children's movie) when you hear some little tyke shout "Mommy, I need to go potty!" One little flick of the wrist (sign the letter "T" for toilet or "P" for potty) and you you're off!

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