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. 

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.

Optional Resources for Further Study

• Sign Language Dictionary by Signing Time
• Sign Language Curriculum for Teachers and Homeschoolers by Signing Time
• Activities using American Sign Language by Signing Time
• Basic Words in Sign Language by Start ASL

Navigation Menu

1. Course Agenda
​2. Sign Language Introduction Video
3. ASL Video Discussion
4. Deaf Culture and Community
5. Cultural Influences on Language
6. Video Protecting Deaf Culture
7. Discussion Deaf Culture
8. Hand Shapes
9. Facial Expressions and Body Language
10. Signed Alphabet 
11. Discussion: Facial Expressions

12. Occupations with and without the Agent Marker
13. Basic Signs
14. Color Signs
15. Days of the Week
16. People Signs
17. Place Signs
18. Animal Signs
19. Food Signs
20. Feeling Signs
21. School Signs
22. Basic Signs
​23. Discussion: Signs in the Classroom

24. Check for Understanding
25. Where to Begin when Teaching Signs
26. Signs by Age
27. Older Children Signs
28. Classroom Management
29. Make it Fun!
30. Discussion: Make it Fun!
31. Sign Language Quiz #1
32. Sign Language Quiz #2
33. Sign Language Quiz #3
34. Sign Language Quiz #4
35. Sign Language Quiz #5
36. Evaluation Form​
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