Inclusion Matters – Signing – Why Bother?
I use signing to teach all children songs - why is this? How hard is it to learn? What are the benefits? In this podcast I'll break it down and explain all about how fantastic your world will be once you start using signing to boost your communication skills!
In this week’s podcast, Dale Pickles from B Squared is joined by Al Start. Al is a singer-songwriter who specialises in music for children and schools through her company Go Kid Music. She has worked with children through creative art organisations and local authority play services. Al has also toured the UK and East Coast USA performing her music.
There are different types of sign language, British sign language or BSL is the primary language used for deaf people, and less than 1 in 10 people in the UK know more than two words in British Sign Language. There is also Makaton that uses symbols, sign and speech to support communication. Sign language isn’t always an alternative to speech, it can be used to support speech.
Why use signing in your school? How can you introduce it to all students? How can your staff learn? Why is it important?
Visual communication methods such as Makaton support spoken language and help everyone understand. Many schools do not use signing, some do but only in a class with a child with SEND, but there is evidence to show kinaesthetic learning is your secret weapon as well as being inclusive, fun, creative, supportive, respectful and beautiful!