Older Children Signs
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Older children who have a background in sign language should be encouraged to continue with their signs and their acquisition of more sign language. Preschool age children and beyond who are developing more complicated language can begin to use sign language with friends who may use it as their main mode of communication. They may also use it to interact with younger children who are learning to sign.
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Many programs that include older children involve sign language during circle time, partnered with songs, or as a means to improve classroom management. Many times, educators find the need for activities that engage the whole body and mind. This is where sign language helps a lot! Movement accompanied by a song or a story is a favorite activity for preschool aged children and gets their little bodies moving.
It is important to know that in Deaf culture it is not usually considered appropriate to speak or sing while signing. This is due to years of societal pressure to fit into a primarily hearing world. While it is natural for hearing people to sign and speak at the same time, when older children establish some sign language you should avoid signing and speaking together. Where singing and sign language are concerned you can combine the music to a popular and well-known song to the signs being used. Children will naturally fall into the rhythm and word order if it is a song or poem that they know well. This helps them to develop their signing skills along with context and fluency.