How Can American Sign Language Support Children’s Communication and Language Skills in The Blue Room?

Focus This inquiry was to focus on the children and helping them be able to communicate better. I wanted to discover how American Sign language could help aid those with less language skills, since American Sing Language is a natural progression to talking (Acredolo, L., Goodwyn, S., & Abrams, D., 2002). It is beneficial to teach children American Sign Language because there are a lot of intellectual benefits. Using American Sing Language “increases vocabulary, reinforces the use of verbal language, promotes early literacy, increases interest in books, and promotes early use of complex sentences” (cite from a website?).

Focus continued I wanted to watch which group of children benefited more from the signs, those with little expressive language, or those with lots of expressive language. Garcia (1999) brakes up signs into different categories, so I chose the categories of starter signs and safety signs. I wanted to be very selective in choosing signs, to not overwhelm them but to start with key sings that would help the children communicate needs. I wanted discover if the three signs I chose: more, wait, help, would help teach the children to communicate their needs and feelings with adults and peers more effectively.

The Three Signs

Process (each step is a week- two weeks) 1st Taught all staff the three signs, and had all staff model signs when possible. Wrote a letter to parents explaining what signs where being taught and had signs available for parents. 2nd Had staff continue to model signs, and prompt children to use signs. 3rd : Introduced eight pictures of staff and children singing at circle time, and put them up in the classroom. 4th : Continued modeling, prompting, and discussing about the pictures on the board.

My Observations Most children would copy the signs when demonstrated Most children could do the signs when asked and reminded to do so The children who attend most days of the week would use the sings on their own There were no observation of children using them with each other without some level of adult support The sign more was used the most Consistency of teachers using and asking for the sings heavily influenced signs being used or not being used Two families reported back to teachers saying their children use the sings at home

Analysis/ Evaluation I found that American Sign language was beneficial to the blue room. It did not seem to matter if the child had more receptive language or expressive language. It seemed to matter more on exposure to the sings, and their personality. Some parents gave teachers feedback that their children were using the sings at home. The singing tracking sheets in the classroom documented that the regularly attending children showed more use of sings. During activates that teachers used the three sings more, were mastered quicker. For example the use of the sign more at meals. The head teachers saw a lot of use of signs and improvement in communication.

Recommendations Start introducing sings as early on as possible and to be constant. Sings should be continued to be used in the Blue room, and slowly start to introduce a few more. I would encourage parents to become involved and use them at home. I would encourage all teachers to be taught the signs, and to use them any time possible.

Reflection I think I was successful in achieving my focus; however I learned that the main thing in teaching children American Sign Language is consistency. It was difficult only being their eight hours a week, and was difficult for all teachers to remember to use them. Also it was hard that children only received them at school, and I think if they were reinforced at home, a lot more use of signs would be observed.

References Acredolo, L., Goodwyn, S., & Abrams, D. (2002). Baby signs how to talk with your baby before your baby can talk. New York: McGraw Hill. Intellectual; Garcia, J. (1999). Sign with your baby. Seattle: Northlight Communications, Inc. Itellectual benefits from utilizing baby sign language. (n.d.). Retrieved from http: //www.babies-and-sign- language.com/baby-signs-itellectual- benefits.html