Q&A - Sign Language

Sign language can be a very useful tool to incorporate into your classroom. Teaching young children simple sign for words such as "more" and "please" is a great way to start exposing them to a form of communication that helps them to express what they want, especially when they have not yet developed their words.

Below are some questions and answers that may
help you integrate sign language into
​your everyday activities. 

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Question: Can you provide more resources for basic signs with pictures and some common songs or videos?

Answer: There are many options for picture books and posters and other resources regarding ASL. Here are some of my favorites:

• https://www.startasl.com/printable-sign-language-for-kids_html
• http://www.sccoe.org/depts/students/inclusion-collaborative/Documents/Simple-Sign-Lang-Info_Signs.pdf
• http://www.babysignlanguage.com/chart/​

Here are also some fun videos for signed songs:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_ugzwuVwEM
• https://www.youtube.com/watchv=KwwiWwcYL4E&index=6&list=PLR2gqSZEz_lZpzq7ul2heVZ9HDb8Tn4kr

For more resources you may want to look on Pinterest or YouTube for a plethora of sources.
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Question: What are some other resources that have slower signing and more explanations so that I can practice and understand more?

Answer: Here is a link to one of our resource websites that includes the videos from the training:          
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• http://www.lessons4learners.com/basic-sign-language-a-resource-for-educators.html

 
You can access the videos in the future to keep up with your Sign Language practice. The videos were designed to go at a very slow pace for beginners to follow and pause and rewind if needed. You can also make the videos full screen by clicking the full screen icon on the bottom right corner of the video window. This is an option within the training course as well.
 
Sign language is usually learned by actively mimicking and repeating the motions as they are seen. As it is a visual language it is more appropriate to show the signs and give participants the opportunity to repeat them.
 
You may find some success with finding YouTube videos that explain the hand and finger placement a bit further. I haven’t been able to find any quality videos from trusted sources in my search for resources. You may also prefer a sign language book instead of videos. 
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Question: Can I use cards to teach sign language to toddlers?

Answer: There are many sign language curriculum products that are sold online and in many stores. I have not personally used any so I cannot recommend them, but a Google search yields a lot of results.
 
In my experience, children learn sign language better and faster when seeing a person actually use sign language. If a teacher can do the signs for them it is infinitely easier to understand than a card with an abstract picture of hands. You see, sign language is about more than just what the hands do and just showing a picture of a movement leaves so much out of the equation. Actual human contact with sign language is always preferred, even if it is a video from a baby sign language curriculum company.

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For more information on Basic Sign Language in the Classroom, 
register for our ten hour course package: 
http://www.cdastars.com/store/p489/Basic_Sign_Language_in_the_Classroom.html​

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For more information on Basic Signs for Babies and Toddlers, 
register for our one hour course: 
http://www.cdastars.com/store/p236/Basic_Signs_for_Babies_and_Toddlers.html​

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