Odd question but- signing in “mittens?”

Question

Hi! I am not deaf and I work with kids, I have a very specific question- my costume has big fuzzy mittens (just a thumb and circular hand part.) I also wear a mask so I can’t use any facial expressions and I have limited movement. Think of a big Winnie the Pooh costume. I can easily say “Thank you” and “You’re welcome,” and have used them with the kids, are there any other friendly signs that could be made (and would be little kid appropriate) without fingers? Like most costumed characters, I’m not supposed to verbally talk so I don’t need to be able to hold a conversation, but I’d love to make an effort to make a kid’s day, or even just incorporate some sign in general. (Any signs I would learn I would record for anyone else who wears the suit to use so there is continuity as well.) Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

This is an interesting question. As you recognize your actual ability to sign is pretty limited in this costume but I understand what you are trying to accomplish. There are several little phrases and signs you could make clearly in this costume. For example:

HAPPY MEET YOU (HAPPY is done very clearly with palm hand) MEET and YOU are done with index finger extended closed fist handshape but would still be clear in your costume

YOU MY SWEET HEART (although the romantic heart is usually signed with forefingers it is still clear using your whole mitten hand. As well as signing "YOU" with your whole mitten hand would be clear in this context.

LOVE YOU

COME HUG PLEASE

YEAH (applause in ASL). HANDS WAVING in air at head level

GOOD or BAD are signed with palm hand so could be done in your costume

YUMMY (like rubbing your tummy). Means PLEASING. \

PLEASE and THANK-YOU are done with palm hand so can be done in your costume

Hope this gives you some leads. I will leave to you to look up any of these signs that you don't know. Many resources on the internet or I would be happy to tutor you in a lesson focused on this type of communication when wearing a costume

Regards