Tantrums...I thought signing was supposed to stop this!!

[dmmetler]

Sigh...one of my major reasons for wanting to sign with Alli was to avoid tantrums. Well, now (right at 1 year of age), we're getting into situations where she sees something, asks about it, then asks for it, and I can't give it to her. SO, I get screaming all the while signing "WANT ________, WANT ______" or "DOWN, DOWN". So, recently, we were treated to signing "DADDY, WHAT"-to the moon, followed by "WANT MOON, MOON DOWN!" followed by screaming because Daddy didn't give her the moon!

Sigh...maybe early communication isn't all that it's cracked up to be. It was great when she was asking for things I could give her, but now she sees EVERYTHING , asks about it, and doesn't understand that trees are rooted in place and that the moon has to stay in the sky!

I swear, she's really not that spoiled, honest!!

[aligreat]

I wouldn't say that signing is supposed to stop tantrums or the "terrible twos" entirely. However, I have seen where it can be helpful. One day Alexandria wanted something from the table. I figured that she was hungry and started pointing at the various food items, and then she signed "HAT." Sure enough there was a hat on the table, and she was happy when I gave it to her.

In the situation you described where your daughter wanted the moon, at least you understood that she wanted the moon. If you didn't have sign all you would know is that your child was pointing up and crying. Rather than trying and trying to figure out what she wanted only to have her reject everything you were able to do, you knew immediately that she wanted something that you couldn't give her. In this situation I would feel less frustrated than if I were trying and trying to please her.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

[MomofJBN]

So, recently, we were treated to signing "DADDY, WHAT"-to the moon, followed by "WANT MOON, MOON DOWN!" followed by screaming because Daddy didn't give her the moon!

She wants the moon already. LOL. But seriously, it's not too early to start explaining that the moon is very far away. She's young and won't totally get it, but you can compare things that are closer (something in your yard) and farther away (mountains or hills) then farther away (clouds) and explain that the moon is way, way past the clouds. It can be very surprising what they understand.

[HopesMommy]

While I do agree that it does stop most of the tantrums, I think that signing ends up being the same thing as vocalizing it will be. There will be times in our children's lives when they ask for something and we just can't give it to them. Either financial, or, in the case of the moon, it's just not possible! Just because they can sign doesn't mean they will get everything they want. Good luck! Hang in there. :-)

[Antonia]

I guess the different is that non-signing 1y olds would just scream - you child can say that it wants the moon.

Well, you can't give it to her, but you won't be able to give your child anything it wants.

I'd tell her, why she can't have the real moon and show her a book with the moon in or cut her a moon from a colored paper.

Antonia

[eyeteachpreskool]

How about reading Goodnight Moon together?

CJ still has tantrums, but I love the fact that I can at least understand what they're about. They're also much quieter and much shorter than my older son who didn't sign.

[kimberly]

From my experience, signing reduces tantrums that occur when a child is unable to communicate. Like aligreat said, your daughter seems able to get her point across. She wasn't frustrated and upset that you weren't understanding her, whereas many two year olds feel frustration every time they try to talk. It seems like signing is working in a great way for you. As far as logic is concerned, welcome to the terrible two's (and three's and four's!).

[ST! LeeAnn]

Signing is a wonderful tool that helps us understand our children. It helps with the tantrums that happen because our children don't know how to express themselves. Children will still test their boundaries, but don't give up. My 16 month old signs for what she wants as well, but get upset if she doesn't get what she wants, so you are not alone.

[flippet]

From my experience, signing reduces tantrums that occur when a child is unable to communicate.


That's just it. There are two kinds of tantrums--one kind happens when they can't be understood, and the other kind happens when they aren't getting what they want (for whatever valid reason). Signing helps with the first, but ain't nuthin' helping with the second, LOL! (kidding...but sometimes it sure seems that way. I'm in the eternal whining phase with my 2 1/2 year old...can't shut it off for anything, it seems...sigh...) :rolleyes: