thestorybookchanges.com /Blog

The Power of “More”

October 23rd, 2009

“More” is a powerful word! Often, when I start treatment with a non-verbal child (and by non-verbal, I mean no sign, no pointing and, of course, no oral speech) I start the first session out with “more”. Why? Because “more” gives the child some control and a “voice”. If a child’s only means of communication is to tantrum, to cry, or to pull and tug on the caregiver to get what they want, life is pretty difficult for everyone concerned. Let’s give the little one some independence and a way to communicate in a more effective manner. The sign for “more” is relatively easy, take the child’s hands and have them touch their fingers back and forth a couple of times in front of their body (do a search for sign language and look up “more”).  Unless your child has a restricted diet, miniature M&Ms work great! Give them one, say “More?” a few times and help them hand over hand make the sign, then give them another one. Do this several times during a snack time (Warning! – Don’t try this for the first time during a family meal or when your child is starving!) and your child should be able to pick it up with repeated attempts. Try it with any small snack item, Goldfish, Cheerios, a small piece of a cut up fruit or a tiny bit of cheese, etc. Or try with stickers, stamps, blowing bubbles, even turning on and off their favorite music. During this time, if you observe your child signing “more” even just once, then you need to expect them to do it all the time during the rest of your teaching lesson (EVEN IF THEY PROTEST when you don’t give them the item they want!). Don’t do it – or they won’t use their new sign. If they are verbal, accept even just an approximation of the word “more” – but expect it before you give them what they want. Sometimes this is difficult, but if you are consistent, your child will discover that communication attempts work in their favor – in other words, they get what they want, IF they use communication. “More” is a powerful word!

Entry Filed under: Tips for home