Sign Language for ALL babies

cynthiacramerotr Baby, communication, sign language, toddlers

imageDo you know that teaching your baby simple signs for actions or needs related to their daily routine …… will actually enhance their verbal skills? Many parents and grandparents fear that if a baby learns simple sign language then they won’t need to learn how to talk. This is a huge misconception.  When I bring sign language into my Early Intervention sessions I first explain the correlation between sign language and talking and then show the family how a simple sign is used. Baby sign language always includes the use of your voice therefore your baby will hear the word and see the sign together which reaches higher cognitive function.

Ready for some simple signs??

EAT…..bring your fingers and thumb together as though you are holding a small toy, bring your fingers and thumb up to your mouth as you say “do you want to eat?” Try to do this each time you are prepared to offer your baby or toddler food.

DRINK….hold your hand as though you are holding a glass and tip it up toward your mouth as you say “do you want a drink?” Pretty simple stuff when you think about it.

MILK….hold your hand as though you are holding … well, a cow udder…and squeeze repeatedly to imitate milking a cow as you say “do you want milk?”

MORE….bring the tips of your fingers and thumbs of both hands together in front of you as you say “do you want more?”

THANK YOU…..(start manners early!) … take your fingers held together to your chin and then make an outward motion away from your body as you say “thank you?”

PLEASE……(more manners!)…. with an open hand bring your palm to your chest and move it in a clockwise fashion as you say “please”

SORRY…..is the same action as please but this time close your hand into a fist and move it clockwise as you say “sorry”

ALL DONE….bring your hands together as though you were going to clap, then open them with palms facing downward as you say “all done” or you may say “all gone” either is fine.

There are many variations that your baby or toddler may use, no need to correct them if their signs are close. For example some babies/toddlers will bring one finger to the palm of the other hand to indicate “more”

Finger foods for babies and toddlers

cynthiacramerotr Baby, choke hazards, finger foods, healthy foods, toddlers

Choke TesterFirst, let me start off by saying that no one needs to buy baby food! You have food available to you right now in your refrigerator, on your counter or in your cabinets that you can offer to your baby or toddler.  Always consult your doctor or pediatrician first before you transition to finger foods.

Good choices will be foods that are healthy, easy to hold and pick up and fit within your family’s typical diet (if your family does not eat meat be sure to add high protein foods).

Before I give you a list of foods I must state that finger foods are foods that your baby or toddler can pick up with their fingers. If you cut food up too small they won’t have success and it actually increases their risk of choking. The finger foods however must pass the choke test; see attached image.

Allow at lease 3 days before introducing a new food.

First Finger Food Choices:  bananas, avocado, watermelon, honey dew, cantaloupe, cooked carrots, green bean without seeds, peaches, strawberries (watch for a rash around the lips, this is common with strawberries), cubes of tofu, soft cheeses, low Mercury fish like tilapia (cooked never offer raw fish), soft moist shredded chicken or turkey, when choosing dry cereal look for whole grain and no added sweeteners  (artificial or natural), and rice cakes (unsalted).

Please read ingredients on other choices like hot dogs. Did you know that hot dogs are high in nitrites and sodium nitrites both of which have been linked to cancer? An occasional hot dog made with wholesome ingredients may be ok but not on a regular basis.

I know this part is hard; but remember that your baby or toddler is just being introduced to finger foods and they don’t have a palate that desires sweet nor salty foods. Keep choices plain and simple.

Oh, one more thing…..don’t be fooled by great marketing tools….you really don’t have to buy the fruit or vegetable puffs. They have little to none when it comes to nutritional value.

ENJOY these moments will pass quickly!

NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY MONTH

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imagesApril is National Occupational Therapy Month!!  It is another opportunity to celebrate my profession.  A day in my life as an occupational therapist looks something like this:

prepare files for the children I will be seeing on any given day

review previous session notes and check to see if I offered to bring something into the home (like an oral stimulator or a therapy ball)download

make sure my energy efficient car is fueled and ready to godownload (2)

load up said car with supplies, files, my water bottle, my “special” eye drops packed in ice, lunch, my purse, my phone and yes there is usually something I remember to grab after I started the car 🙂

*drive anywhere from 20 minutes to 75 minutes to my first destination

*make an impact on the lives of the families I share time with; offering advice, direct instruction, problem solving, and a positive attitude

*head back to  my car and drive another 30 minutes or so

repeat *

repeat*

repeat* as many times as necessary

drive home; enjoy the landscape; and make at least one pit stop at Sheetz download (1)

once I am home I may do my daily billing and prepare my files for the next day

Every day that I work is a good day; I really enjoy going into the homes of children and helping their families learn how to help their children.  If you have any questions about occupational therapy please feel free to contact me.

Word of caution……

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pal playWhen you place an order on-line, do you read through the reviews before making your selection?  Recently this play house was purchased on wayfair.com.  The reviews gave this product a one star.  When the play house arrived there were no assembly instructions and the play house had at least 2 holes in the structure that required patching (aka duct tape).  Fortunately the consumer contacted wayfair.com and they fully refunded them the cost and instructed them to keep the play house as they did not want it returned.

 

Fire safety and evacuation???

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downloadSo….today I had the opportunity to meet a new family with a beautiful son.  As the Service Coordinator and I were discussing concerns with this family it dawned on me that due to their child’s unique circumstances this family needs an evacuation plan!!   We all have heard over and over again that we should practice what to do in the case of a fire.  This was a vivid reminder that most families have never thought about this life– saving measure!  Do you have an evacuation plan?  Do your children know alternative routes out of your home (or grandma’s, the sitter’s, etc)?  Please take a moment to consider this and establish a plan.  Most local fire departments will assist you if you are unsure of escape routes.

Preparing for another day of awesome opportunites………………

cynthiacramerotr My Blog

It’s Sunday evening and I am preparing for Monday!  I absolutely love my career and I feel that God has blessed me with the skills I bring with me as I travel.  Tomorrow my day will start and end in Bedford County.  Before the time change I enjoyed watching the sunrise as I drove East and the sun setting as I drove home.   The sun will already be up when I leave at 7:00 AM  😦  but that’s ok I will still enjoy watching the sky and the landscape change with each mile I travel.  My goal for tomorrow is to impact my families with some positive feedback and document even the slightest progress that their awesome children accomplish.