100 learning to use a sign language
• When you notice your child is expressing an emotion, ask her to
explain how she feels.
If she has trouble answering you, first think about whether she knows
the signs she needs to answer the question. If she does not, help her learn
these signs.
Li Ming, why are
you crying?
I want to
play.
‘Why’ questions can be complicated and difficult for a child to answer.
Because the answers to ‘why’ questions must often include things,
actions and emotions, they are important for developing children’s
thinking skills. A child needs a lot of practice to answer these questions,
so keep working on ‘why’ questions. If your child still has trouble
answering the question, give her several choices.
Li Ming, you look upset.
Are you feeling sad?
Or angry?
Sad.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)