J-cake's favorite sign for the longest time was "helicopter". About a year ago, which would have made her almost 20 months, she began to scream uncontrollably many afternoons during her nap.
She would sob and snuggle into me, and I thought she was having bad dreams. There would be other times during the day that she would come streaking in from the back patio in pure terror.
Then one day when we were outside and a helicopter flew over, she came running towards me, frightened and crying. I signed "helicopter" to her- she stopped crying and copied me very seriously.
The next day she woke up crying again, but when I came into her room she quickly quieted and started repeatedly signing "helicopter". Her crib was near a window, and from where I was in the house during her naps I didn't hear what was causing her her to wake up. It seemed that knowing what it was really helped her.
A few days later we were outside again and I signed "loud" helicopter as one flew over.
This became one of her most used signs, and I can never underestimate the value of knowing when it was a just a "loud" gardner, or truck, or motorcycle or street sweeper. Because the shrieks my little one would let out would have me fearing loss of limb!
She is now 2 3/4 and she still often runs to the window when she hears a helicopter. Above she is seen signing her version of "helicopter".
| 
