symbolic function as it applies to language. For these children, at least, the problem is clearly with the articulatory piece of the language puzzle. (See Acredolo, Goodwyn, Horobin, & Emmons, 1999, for other examples.) Implications for ParentsAlthough the composite effect of the symbolic gesturing experience on verbal language was positive across the span of the present study, age-by-age analyses indicated more statistically significant effects early on. By the 36-month comparisons, the ST children were ahead of the controls, but not significantly so. Given that significant positive effects do not appear to last, one might wonder why parents should even bother with symbolic gesturing. The answer is clear to anyone who has lived with a toddler. The period after infants become mobile and before they can talk is a very difficult one for both parents and children. As the parents in the Sign Training group told us over and over again, the availability of symbolic gestures for at least some of the important things in their childs life made communication easier and interactions more positive. Request gestures (e.g., MORE, OUT) helped children get their needs met without crying, symbols for specific foods (e.g., GOLDFISH CRACKERS, CHEERIOS) provided important clarification, animal gestures (e.g., MONKEY, ZEBRA, GIRAFFE) helped them become active partners during book-reading, descriptive gestures (e.g., HOT, HAPPY, AFRAID) helped them share important insights about their environment, and all of the gestures helped clarify the childrens initial, crude verbal labels (e.g., "Oh! Youre doing your TURTLE gesture. I guess Tata means "turtle!"). Here are just a few additional examples:McIntyre101. A 16-month-old, who awoke crying in the night, was able to point and use his "afraid" gesture (patting his chest) to let his mother know he was afraid of the clown doll on his dresser. Without the gesture, she might have put the doll in bed with him! 2. A 13...
