Since the beginning of 2011 the children in the Preschool room have been learning basic sign language. We have been learning at least one “sign” per week and have started with basic words such as “please” and “thank you”, “hat” “hello” and “finished”.
During our day in the Preschool room we use the signs that we know to communicate with our friends, teachers and families. When we learn a new sign we also speak the word to re-enforce the meaning of it. We have also been learning how to sign the basic colour names. We are now able to sign the “Rainbow Song”, as we know all the colours that appear in that song.
The sign language that we are learning is based on Auslan, which is the sign language used by the Australian deaf community. Some of the signs have been adapted to be used for babies and toddlers, making the hand shapes easier to copy. Each day we sit for group time and our teachers show us a picture of how to make the sign. We talk about the word, when we use it and then we have a turn at making the sign.
We then practise our rainbow song, using the signs and singing at the same time:
“Red and yellow and pink and green.
Purple and orange and blue.
I can sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow too.”
We learn the same word throughout the week so those of us who attend on different days all get the opportunity to learn it.
During the group time we also practise the signs that we have learnt in previous weeks. We then enjoy using the sign during the day when we want to say that word, and many of us have been showing our families at home too.
How this learning experience links to the Early Years Learning Framework:
Outcome 1.4: Children learn to interact in relation to others with care, empathy and respect.
Outcome 2.1: Children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active community participation
Outcome 3.1: Children become strong in their social and emotional wellbeing.
Outcome 4.2: Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesizing, researching and investigating.
Outcome 5.1: Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes
Outcome 5.4: Children begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems work
