Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/sign-language-meeting-diverse-needs-in-the-classroom/5017645/
For a number of years, sign language has been used in special education settings for learners with disabilities. Children with hearing loss, autism, cognitive disabilities, and language disorders have demonstrated improved communication skills with the use of signs. Recently, however, teachers have begun to use sign language with typical learners and young children with developmental delays (Lynch, 2003; Cook, Tessier, & Klein, 2000). Young children often benefit from the combination of speech, movement, and visual enhancement of communication. Preschool educators have recognized this fact for decades, as is evident in the use of finger plays, songs with motions, and the use of pantomime. Since movement is such a natural way for young children to learn, teachers find that sign language often promotes language and communication.Why use sign language?
When movement and signs are incorporated in communication, some learners are better able to remember what they have heard. This helps children to increase their receptive (words that they understand) and expressive (words that they use) vocabularies. Shy children or reluctant speakers can participate in group activities using signs until they are confident enough to use their words. At first, the teacher can scaffold their responses by both speaking and showing children the ...