A SIGN OF SUCCESS will now be presenting one “baby sign” each month on the BabyBumps.net blog! Each post will include teaching tips that incorporate picture books and fun in the process. The signs are based on American Sign Language, but modified to fit the hand of a young child.

This month’s sign is for the word “Please”
By Anne Meeker Miller, Ph.D.

Focusing on manners from the start will help your child begin to master this essential life lesson. Start with basic words, such as PLEASE and THANK YOU, as soon as you observe your child directing his or own behavior – following directions, making choices, imitating sounds, gestures and motions, and interacting with others.

To perform the sign, rub your open hand on your upper chest in a circular motion. The child may modify this sign by patting or brushing his hand upwards instead. Parents can help their child make the PLEASE sign by rubbing his open-handed circle on his chest. It is important that the child’s best attempt always be treated as language and acknowledged. (“Thank you for telling me PLEASE. Here is the toy you wanted!”)

Children use the PLEASE sign to tell you they want more of something desirable, such as food, toys or affection. PLEASE is one of the best signs to help children grasp the relationship between their hand movements and getting what they want. They learn that you will consistently provide their desired object or action if they rub their chest, and realize that perhaps your other hand motions mean something as well.

Enlist the help of other caring adults in your child’s life to speak and sign with him. These exchanges also help your child understand how communication works: each person takes a turn, you look at and listen to one another, and you are making interesting faces as you make your sounds and signs.

A great way to practice sign language vocabulary is by reading picture books to your child and signing key words in the text. Here are several books that are great for practicing PLEASE.

Chicken Fingers, Mac and Cheese…
        Why Do You Always Have to Say Please? by Wendy Rosen
Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle
Please, Baby, Please by Spike Lee
Time to Say “Please!” by Mo Willems

 

For more information about the benefits of sign language and to learn more ways to incorporate music and play in your sign teaching visit www.babysingandsign.com.

A popular technique often used with young children is that of giving choices. Would you like green beans or corn? Would you like to wear the red shirt of the white shirt today? But, an important developmental skill for children involves thinking and planning by being able to choose from multiple options, instead of just two.

For example, maybe you have planned a special project for your child to decorate for an upcoming holiday. Engage your child in planning for the event by asking questions such as; What kinds of decorations can we make? What do we need to make these decorations? Where will be put them, and who will help us work on them?

Including your child when possible in these types of decision-making activities can expand vocabulary, planning and memory skills. Have fun making those decorations!!!

This tip was brought to you from Parenting with Peace, a business dedicated to responding to the needs of those with parenting challenges in the Kansas City area. For more information, visit their website at www.parentingwithpeace.com.

Baby Boot Campers are gearing up for Fall with a new class schedule and membership specials!

The fall schedule starts on September 1st with classes offered Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings at 9:25 and Tuesday evenings at 6:15.

During the month of September, enjoy an extra month for FREE when you sign up for a 6 or 12 month package. You can also attend an extra class for FREE when you purchase 6 or 12 class packages. Each new Baby Boot Camp member will receive a free Baby Boot Camp water bottle!

Sign up now for your first class free and tell a friend about Baby Boot Camp!
Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Together.

For more information, visit www.babybootcamp.com.

Here We Grow Again, a children’s consignment sale, was created in response to the increasing cost of kids’ items. The three-day sale, which is held twice a year, is not only a way for parents to make money selling their gently-used kids’ clothing, shoes, coats, toys and more, but also a place to find great bargains on items they need.

“With our growing families, we know how expensive clothing, toys, sporting equipment and other children’s items can be,” says Beth Rafat, co-owner of Here We Grow Again and mother of three. “So, after seeing a need in the community for reasonably-priced quality merchandise for kids, we created this sale to not only benefit our kids, but also kids throughout the community. Moms, expectant moms, grandmas, aunts and others can save hundreds of dollars by purchasing nearly-new items at a fraction of retail.”

The Fall/Winter Here We Grow Again sale will be held September 10-12, 2008 at the Olathe Holiday Inn across from The Great Mall. Items will include kids clothing (newborn up to girls size 16 and boys size 20), toys, coats, shoes, sporting equipment, Halloween costumes and other seasonal items, books, movies, furniture, strollers, high chairs, nursery decor, baby and toddler items, sporting and play equipment and much more — anything having to do with kids!

At Here We Grow Again, consignors clean out their closets and basements of items their kids have outgrown. They select the price, print out and attach a tag and drop off their items prior to the sale. The Here We Grow Again team then displays and sells the items. After the sale, consignors receive a check.

For more information, visit the Here We Grow Again website at www.herewegrowagain.biz.

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the heart muscle (myocardium) that can result from a variety of causes. While most cases are produced by a viral infection, an inflammation of the heart muscle may also be instigated by toxins, drugs, and hypersensitive immune reactions. Myocarditis is a rare but serious condition that affects both male and females of any age.

Viral Myocarditis is not particularilu common in children, yet it has a remarkably high mortality rate. The mortality rate in newborns (75%) is higher than that of older infants and children (10-25%).

Symptoms can include a nonspecific, flu-like illness, poor feeding, gastrointestinal symptoms or rapid breathing. Older children may experience lack of energy and general malaise. The flu-like illness may linger longer than the usual several days.

JOIN US FOR A FALL SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA - Activities for the whole family!!!
Shop for all your holiday needs from 30+ vendors.
Let the kids jump in the moonwalk, get their faces painted,
meet KC Chiefs Ambassador, Anthony Davis, founder of Your Next Play between 10-11am,
meet other Chiefs players throughout the day,
Watch LIVE performances on stage by Funky Mama (11:15 - 11:45) and Rock Daddy Rock,
Enjoy watching a live bird show presented by Wings of Love (11:30-1:30),
come see a traveling military display and MUCH MORE!

This is sure to be a fun day for the whole family!
OCTOBER 4th, 2008
10am to 3pm
Overland Trail Middle School
6201 W. 133rd Street, Overland Park, KS

Visit www.MakingSpiritsBrightKC.com for more information!