https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 16:37:49 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-insisting-on-words-andor-signs#post-1355728 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 01:06:24 +0000 lamariniere 1355728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would always just repeat what I thought DS was saying if he was whining or using sounds at an early age. I didn't insist that he use real words until he was about 2 and I knew he knew the words. Even now at age three sometimes he will say "I want that" and point. I will try to get him to tell me what "that" is by asking him to either use the word or describe it (color, size) it he doesn't know what the thing is called. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-insisting-on-words-andor-signs#post-1355669 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 23:44:59 +0000 jedeve 1355669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just started at one. He knows how to sign all done and as long as he really does any hand movement that's not whining and trying to climb out of the high chair, I'm good with letting him down. </p> <p>It helps to ask in an upbeat voice rather than in a stern no whining voice, because at that age it's more the distraction that gets him to stop whining. I just don't want to reward it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-insisting-on-words-andor-signs#post-1355664 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 23:39:11 +0000 JennyD 1355664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Early. Before she was one.</p> <p>I have found (she's two next week) that she goes in fits and spurts. She'll go weeks using every time, for everything, and then, suddenly, she reverts to whining, even for things she knows the words for! It's so frustrating. I always ask her to "use words, please". Lately, we have also begun asking her to "use your nice voice", when she is whining. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-insisting-on-words-andor-signs#post-1355268 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 20:58:07 +0000 MrsScallop 1355268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have been using this as long as she has known some signs (since 10 months-ish?). If she is really whining, I try to get her to sign "please" at a minimum before I do what she wants. She is actually pretty good about it right now, but we'll see how it goes as she gets older! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-insisting-on-words-andor-signs#post-1355188 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 20:39:00 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1355188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS1 only could follow the "stop crying, calm down and try to say it again" requests after he turned 2. Still doesn't always work. We also have issues with him saying &amp; pointing "I want that one!" when he knows the correct word but just doesn't feel like it. I'll then prompt him to tell me which thing using the right word, again, hit or miss. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-insisting-on-words-andor-signs#post-1355113 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 20:21:36 +0000 hilsy85 1355113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've started saying "use your words" and will offer up some if he still continues to whine. But eventually if icnT figure it out and he won't say it, I'll just try different things til he gets what he wanted (within reason!).</p> <p>I also think it is tough for them to calm down/think about words signs when they are frustrated bc if being hungry or tired--that seems to get a more visceral reaction from my Lo than jut wanting a particular toy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-you-start-insisting-on-words-andor-signs#post-1354504 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:20:47 +0000 immabeetoo 1354504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is almost 14 months and has been using signs for a while now, and started with some words. Still, sometimes he can't seem to help but whine whine whine when he wants more food, or is all done, etc. </p> <p>Right now we usually ask him to sign or say the word, and demonstrate ourselves, and then ask again, and then give up. I'm curious what age people started implementing tactics like "I don't understand you if you're whining"? </p>