More milk, please Published Feb. 9, 2007 By Nicole Campbell Staff Writer POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Pope Child Development Center added sign language to their curriculum two years ago, and there have been fewer incidents of biting and hitting as a result. There might not seem to be a correlation between more sign language and less aggression, but Sandra Morrisey, CDC director, believes there is. "Sign language enhances literacy and gives children an extra means of communication, especially toddlers. When they can't express themselves through speech, they get frustrated and may bite or hit," Mrs. Morrisey said. Children as young as 1 year demonstrated their ability to sign words like "milk" and "more." Older children added words such as "chicken," "thank you," "mother," "father" and could count to 10 with handspeak. One teacher said that most of the signing happens at lunch time when the children ask for more food. It's nice to visualize a room full of youngsters signing "more" rather than screaming because they are misunderstood. Mrs. Morrisey, a Fayetteville native and spouse of an Air Force retiree, has served as CDC director for more than 22 years. She said that her job "is all about the little people," and strives to bring the best to Pope's children. A teacher named Heather Miller who had worked in a CDC overseas in which sign language was taught, brought her skills to the Pope CDC a couple years ago. She has since moved to Georgia, but because she shared her sign language learning materials, the program is going strong. "The teachers learned through hand-outs and a video, and every week they pick a new word to include in their curriculum. They post the word so parents can learn it and re-enforce it in the home," Mrs. Morrisey said. Regardless of the child's age, the process of learning sign language is the same, she said. And because children learn 75 percent of their literacy skills before age 4, sign language is important tool to instill an appreciation of words, thereby strengthening vocabulary. To further improve literacy skills, the center also maintains a children's library. The children can check out books whenever they like. CDC teachers take pictures of the children signing and hang the photos throughout the center. The pictures are another way for the children to view sign language, and see their accomplishments. Mrs. Morrisey said the next step for the sign language program is to set up a class for parents, so they can learn the signs their children are learning -- communication would break down if a child was able to sign, but a parent was unable to translate. It is also good for the public to understand sign language. "I received a call about a little girl from our program that had asked for milk in sign language while at the bowling alley. The cashier understood and gave here the milk, and the girl said thank you in sign language. That was fantastic to hear about," Mrs. Morrisey said proudly. Another proud moment Mrs. Morrisey relayed was during Gen. Duncan McNabb's visit. "General McNabb's wife visited the center and a young girl named Carolyn Evens counted to 10 in sign language for her. Mrs. McNabbs said it was awesome," Mrs. Morrisey said. Pope CDC manages a program called "Keeping Families Connected" for children with deployed parents. The teachers take pictures of a child's endeavors, such as acquired signing skills, a first step or new tooth, and e-mail the picture to the deployed parent. The children also dictate stories and letters to send to their parents via e-mail. The program is a great way to provide peace-of-mind to the service member who is away, said Mrs. Morrisey.