Why won't my kid talk to me?

DoctorWorm222

I think I've mentioned before that we're doing baby signs with E. She's doing well with the handful of signs we've shown her. I was really proud of our progress until I realized that she's been speaking at daycare. At home, she'll say few words but mostly signs, but apparently shes a total chatterbox at school. The daycare teacher was telling me what a good little talker she is and rattled off about 5 words I'd never heard her say. Today, they said that she walked up to her teacher who was standing near the exit and said, "open the door." I thought they meant that she pointed to the door or said door. Nope. Three teachers swore up and down that she said, "open the door" several times and then got pissed off when they refused to do it. When I stood her by the door, she walked over to it, beat on it a few times and then started whining. What gives? Why won't my crazy baby talk to me? Any thoughts as to how we might get her to start talking at home? Do you think we should drop the baby signs?

I should add that I'm not suggesting in any way that signing is bad or hinders development. All studies indicate that it enhances and encourages communication and that babies who sign start talking faster rather than slower. My kid is just a weirdo.

mrsgabus

When shes at home and signs. Repeat the word a few times then ask a question.

DoctorWorm222

I always make a point of repeating the word, but the question is a good idea.

Scramblersmom

My brother was deaf so sign language was used all of the time in my home growing up. My Mom and Dad enforced that we had to use our voices when we signed regardless. I understand that sometimes signs are used when a child can not say a word yet but if it is a sign for something they can say then speaking should be enforced. I agree with pp that you should say the word a couple of times when she signs the word, and if you know she can say it, then you should probably tell her to use her voice and say the word before she gets what she wants.

This is just my advice but it is based on experience. 

Fianschneid

Cate1234:

At home, DS knows he has our undivided attention.  If he says 'Uh, uh, uh' and points, we respond.  At day care, he is competing for attention and has to communicate clearly to get what he wants. 

I think this is normal.  Just keep talking to LO and maybe try to delay your response until LO is more vocal.

This. DD also "performs" differently at daycare and at home. She knows what she can get away with where.

DoctorWorm222

Fianschneid:

Cate1234:

At home, DS knows he has our undivided attention.  If he says 'Uh, uh, uh' and points, we respond.  At day care, he is competing for attention and has to communicate clearly to get what he wants. 

I think this is normal.  Just keep talking to LO and maybe try to delay your response until LO is more vocal.

This. DD also "performs" differently at daycare and at home. She knows what she can get away with where.

This makes me feel a little better. I felt like such a terrible mom when the daycare teacher seemed to know more about my kid than I did.