teaching potty signs to those too young for sign language

[riboflavin]

Has anyone tried teaching a tiny baby any signs for 'potty' that they could do before 8-9 months? Or has anyone tried teaching the baby a way to respond 'yes' or 'no' if you ask them if they have to use the potty?

I have a 3 month old ec'er and I feel like he knows sometimes what I am asking him when I ask him if he needs to go, but I don't know how to teach him to respond? Sometimes it looks like he is trying to shake his head for 'yes' (I've sorta tried to teach him this) when I ask him, but babies are so floppy, I can't tell if he's just floppin' around...and when he does go after a head shake, is it just a coincidence?

I read SOMEWHERE-wish I could remember where, that some researchers taught tiny babies to indicate potty needs by moving their arm in direction of potty, and it worked well. Problem for us would be that we use different places, and what about outside the home?

It would just be great to be able to have them respond so that I am not unnecessarily taking him to potty, undressing, etc. Sometimes he gets annoyed, yk?

Any ideas of body movements we could teach those of only a few months, that they could do, that wouldn't be mistaken for something else? I was thinking maybe raising an arm in the air?...

[bookwormommy]

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[Twwly]

Your baby is ALREADY giving you signs. Maybe the look in his eyes, or the way he twists his body, or good ol' intuition. Those are the 'age appropriate' signs for really little babies.

I've read that between 6-12 months of age, babies can begin communicating with sign language, so I would assume that a response like lifting an arm yes or no would also fall into that general age category too.

[happyfrog]

Don't be afraid to use sign language because baby is 'too young'. you'll be surprised at how much they can AND DO understand and attempt!

btw the sign for 'potty' 'bathroom' is a 't' sign shaken back and forth or left - right if that helps description wise.

I personally would do the potty sign every time you do EC and are heading towards potty and are at potty. You'll be amazed at how quickly s/he will attempt his 'version' of the sign. No it probably won't look like the 't' sign, but it'll probably be a clenched fist waved around. . . . and that's a pretty clear indication! Reinforce with the 'real' sign - don't change the sign you do, always do it properly as the child grows and motor skills increase, so will his/her signing ability. (sorry, don't remember gender of baby. forgive me)

BettyAnn
mommy to 2 boys that are non verbal but are ASL fluent. . ..

[tbone]

I've been wondering about this too. I've been doing the ASL sign, but don't know if he's getting it.