Sweet Signs

A few minutes ago, Sawyer handed Cooper something and Cooper immediately signed ‘thank you’ to him.

Sawyer responded with…’you’re welcome buddy.’

It was such a sweet exchange.

When Cooper was a toddler, and we realized his speech was not developing, we focused on sign language.

He picked up on some. ‘No, more, help, all done, please, and thank you.’

But he plateaued after those. He had no interest in learning any other ones. I think it’s because us hands wouldn’t cooperate. Sign language takes fine motor skills that he didn’t have.

To this day, Cooper always signs please and thank you. He uses a few other ones too.

I see it constantly. Most people don’t notice it but I do and I usually say something like…‘that’s so nice of you to say thank you pal.’

Sign language is communication.

Politeness was always important to Cooper’s dad and I. We encouraged it from a very young age.

Acknowledging people: hi and bye. Thanking people: please and you’re welcome. Asking for help with a gesture instead of yelling.

Do you or your kids use sign language?

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