Nadder Al-Ajmi

 Sign language is known for being an effective tool of communication for those that are deaf, hard of hearing and deafened. However sign language can also help the communication, language, and reading skills in young hearing students as well as young students with no disabilities. Signing enhances and promotes:

 The teacher will find that the use of signs and finger spelling will hold a wide range of learning styles. Why does it work? If children can understand communication, then it makes sense that children can learn to talk, read, and write. For children without disabilities, sign language can help them bridge the cap between speaking and reading.

  What about those students with Learning disabilities?  What about short-term retention of signs?  How does a student’s home, parent involvement, and teacher’s skill level effect the outcome? Is signing a program for all?

  Studies show that a teacher would replace the norm with locations, hand shapes, and movements that are easier basics… personal sign vocab = higher success in signing.  Short-term memory… more drama in the voice along with more dramatic signing increases children’s short-term memory.  Making sure routine time of teaching, personalized teaching, knowing the disabilities that cause trouble in speaking, school settings, and in home settings are important. True, signing is a program that needs individual attention!

  Changing up when needed still makes sign a powerful tool for communication and language.  Even with all disabilities; the will to communicate remains.  Signing is just another tool to help children learn on different levels. Does it mean sign doesn’t work for hearing kids? Absolutely not!

  It gives students a way to communicate socially.  It provides another way to learn language through motor and sound recognition.  It aids in student’s awareness of how letters work together to form words, leading to confidence in reading and spelling.  Most importantly, it increases retention, understanding, and student’s ability to apply what they learn. Teaching sign language to hearing students works: