Development of sign language for young children

Abstract

The Child and Family Study Center (CFSC) serves as a laboratory school and observation site for Early Childhood Education Majors and other related majors on campus. The center experience allows University students to link educational theory with practice and therefore must set the example for developmentally appropriate practices by modeling best practices. CFSC programs benefit teachers, parents, university students and children ages 6 months to 35 months. Our nation depends on child care programs to care for their children. Programs vary in their content, but one of the aspects that is common to all is developing language and a form of communication. The problem is the lack of training for teachers and parents to help children communicate. All early childhood teachers have a tremendous responsibility to understand the wants and needs of the children; which will help the children succeed in the program. Using sign language, you can take advantage of children's natural abilities to communicate sooner. The level of frustration that children feel diminishes significantly when a child can tell you what he or she wants. Tantrums are often caused by a toddler's inability to communicate needs or wants. Using sign language, you can communicate with children as early as 6 months and reduce the number of tantrums you encounter. The objective of this project is to provide quality sign language training experiences for teachers and parents. The goal is to better prepare teachers and parents to communicate with their children at a young age. Objective 1: Provide teacher training that focuses on sign language skills and how to effectively teach young children to use sign language. Objective 2: Provide parent seminars that focus on sign language skills and how to use those skills at home with their children. Objective 3: To update and create classroom materials that provides an ideal learning environment for sign language. The project outcomes are to enhance the skills of teachers and parents of the CFSC. Teachers and parents that have sign language training and the tools to use will be able to promote student learning and development. Identifying and implementing best practices for teaching and learning sign language is the strategy that will be used. During the granting year, Lindsay Barnhart, CFSC Instructional Specialist, will coordinate teacher and parent training seminars with a sign language expert, and update curriculum and classroom materials that will foster sign language development for young children. This project represents a cost effective approach, with a budget request of $5,853.08, to prepare current and future teachers and parents of young children. Updated classroom materials will promote sign language in the classrooms. Curriculum enhancements will be adapted to center policies and goals. A study over five years will be done on what teachers, parents and the children have learned. No additional funding will be necessary to complete this project.