Comments on: Hi, Bye and Thank You

By: janet

janet — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 04:27:11 +0000

“I love how he is finding his own way through the jungle of social behaviour…” Yes, it is a jungle out there, isn’t it? I love the “waving to the garden”! Thanks, Nadine. I do hope you’ll write on this topic, too.

By: janet

janet — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 04:25:30 +0000

Bence, thank you, it means the world to me to hear that. I am working hard to channel your Mama as best I can!

By: janet

janet — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 04:08:33 +0000

Yes, an expression of affection! And what a gift to an 11-month-old to not have to perform. Just being herself is good enough. Thanks, Alice!

By: Alice Callahan

Alice Callahan — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 03:43:48 +0000

What’s funny is that my 11-month-old waves enthusiastically at our cat and dog every time she sees them. She will wave to people she knows but is hesitant and often waves after we leave. Strangers? The ones who kindly say, “Aren’t you adorable?! Do you know how to wave yet? Hello! Hello!” She just stares at them, which is really pretty good instinct, I think. A wave is an expression of affection to her, and she so far seems to be a reserved kid. This post served as a good reminder to not ask her to perform in that way. Rather, I think I’ll focus on modeling greeting and affection with friends – not in a phony way – but in a focused way, rather than putting the focus on her interactions. I love your comparison of “good job” and “thank you.” Makes perfect sense.

By: Bence Gerber

Bence Gerber — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 06:27:57 +0000

Janet, reading your blog brings tears to my eyes. You say so beautifully and gently what my Mom believed passionately.

By: Nadine

Nadine — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 06:27:55 +0000

Thank you, i was gonna write a post about a similar topic, but you’ve done a wonderful job already on it (good job! )
Our little man has explored the good bye thing and as soon as i enter the creche to pick him up he waves to the garden, the children and the teachers calling “bye-bye” like a million times. It’s so sweet and we never taught him to do it. But he also waves at a leaving subway or at me when i want to hug him and he doesn’t want me to. I love how he is finding his own way through the jungle of social behaviour and you are right that this is so much better than a forced “good morning!” it’s like a laughing baby that laughs on his own compared to one that is tickled to laugh…

By: janet

janet — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 23:30:33 +0000

Yes, aren’t those spontaneous greetings the best?! Thanks for your kind words.:)

By: Nicole

Nicole — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 04:29:58 +0000

I enjoyed reading this too. In my group at day care we have a one young girl who seems to have nominated herself as the unofficial greeter in the room. When anyone enters she lifts her arm (elbow straight) and waves, calling “hellooo”, and when they leave she waves again, this time saying “bye, addaday” (“have a good day”). Each time she does it it makes me smile. I love how balanced your answer to Jennifer was, and also how sensitive Jennifer was to her own child’s feelings. I’m now heading off to read your apology post.

By: janet

janet — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 22:45:45 +0000

I think teaching sign language can only be a positive, but I don’t believe it’s necessary. What’s important is to communicate with babies from the beginning and open the door for them to answer in return. Infants begin to respond to this very quickly…by lifting their arms to us when we ask, “Do you want me to pick you up?” And by preparing their muscles when we say, “Okay, I’m going to pick you up.”

Infants and toddlers will develop their own signs and signals for things…

One of the aspects I love about Magda Gerber and the RIE Educaring Approach is that it is about trusing infants to be self-learners. That means they learn language organically through our interactions with them. We don’t have to give them “lessons”, or do anything to teach them that doesn’t feel natural to us.

But if a parent enjoys teaching a baby sign language while they are interacting, wonderful!

By: janet

janet — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 22:33:30 +0000

Here’s the post on “Your Baby Can Read” : http://www.janetlansbury.com/2009/11/your-baby-can-read-costs-too-much/