Teaching sign language for preschool kids
It is simple to teach sign language for kids. It can be easily taught by caregivers, teachers, and parents. We have shared some exclusive sign language tips for kids that will help them to easily learn ASL. Remember, sign language should be taught in a fun way. It will strengthen and support early learning.
Also learn the signing activities and signs first when teaching sign language to kids. When you are teaching, you should first know all the signs, learn insights about each sign and ways to sign correctly. For example, you should know how to mention the bird’s beak. Facial expressions improve the sign. Strong facial expressions give meaning to the term stop. When you are teaching signs along with a song, you have to teach them how to sign the words, and also you should know how to sign before starting.
How to start teaching sign language for elementary kids?
Start to teach sign language with few signs. Do not teach them numerous signs at one time. You should know how many signs to teach and see their comfort level when teaching the signs. You can slowly include more as they show more interest in learning. There is no need to sign each word or all the words you are mentioning in a song or taught for an activity.
Select signs that support the kid’s learning activity. For preschoolers, it is beneficial to teach signs for important educational concepts like animals, colors, numbers, alphabets, etc. When it comes to teaching elementary children, select fun signing actions that develop reading readiness and language growth (phonemic awareness and ABC’s).
Ensure to teach kids correctly and consistently. If you have decided to teach ASL for kids, ensure you are teaching ASL signs exactly. This way, you can strengthen the signs and support vocabulary learning. American Sign Language is the fourth most spoken and common language in the United States. When kids hear more often and associate with the sign, the better their understanding would be. Moreover, they can easily develop and improve their ability when utilizing the word.
Why consistency is important in sign language?
Sign all through the day. It is recommended to add sign language even in daily activities. When you use it while reading books, in conversation, and singing songs to kids, they can learn fast and also understand each word. Certain signs such as STOP are excellent silent behavior controls. Such signs make signing regular in your day.
Ensure to maintain that fun when you are teaching sign language to kids. If it remains as an interactive and playful activity, children will enjoy learning. The teaching style should keep them learning, watching, singing, and moving. Surely, teaching sign language could remain as a challenging and engaging activity that could be successful. Children will see sign language as an excellent learning tool and they will also love to do it.
It is important to be positive while teaching sign language. You have to showcase them that you enjoy interacting and teaching signs to them by signing. When you express your happiness, they will also feel motivated and interested to learn. Find fun and unique ways to sign and direct them to do the signing activities. If you are teaching songs, you can easily change signs according to the lyrics and teach new signs according to the song flow. Classroom management is very important in sign language. Teachers should make signing as their routine. This way, children can remain focused and pay attention.
