Recently, we've been exploring the fascinating world of sign language with the children in Preschool 2 at RisingOaks Early Learning | John Sweeney. This journey began when Chase picked up a book titled "A Sign Language Alphabet, Hand signs," which introduces the signs for each letter of the alphabet. This sparked interest, leading us to revisit the book multiple times. To support this learning, we also used wooden tiles that displayed a letter on one side and the corresponding sign on the other. The children practiced making the signs with these tiles. To assess their memory retention, I later brought the tiles out again, showing only the sign side, and asked them to recall the letter it represented. It was encouraging to see that many of them could remember quite a few letters, although they needed some hints for others. We've had discussions about the importance of sign language, emphasizing that it helps those who might not be able to hear or speak to communicate. In addition, we've started practicing signs for various everyday words, colours and animals. The children have displayed such a keen interest to continue learning.
The children's engagement with sign language has been a delightful observation of their commitment and curiosity. This experience aligns with the Reggio Emilia philosophy, encouraging children to explore different languages of learning and expression. The framework "How Does Learning Happen?" supports this by valuing communication and expression, which this activity facilitates. Through sign language, children are expanding their understanding of diverse communication styles, fostering inclusivity, and empathetic interactions. Their ability to recall letter signs showcases growing memory and cognitive skills, key areas of development at their age. These activities also enhance their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, essential for their developmental stage.
I am eager to continue our sign language exploration diving into different signs to further develop with our sign knowledge, I also want to continue diving deeper into other forms of communication for example Braille to help facilitate the idea of everyone having their own diverse set of needs and tools that we can use to help meet those needs; providing a space that is welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
