Old Rectory Nursery School
In September 2006 Kathy Robinson came into our nursery and within an hour and half of training she has now given the staff and children a new way to communicate with each other.
Every week the staff is given five new signs, which are to be used on a daily basis, and to be shown to the children of all age groups in the nursery.
Learning five signs a week has been quite a success amongst the staff and children, although some staff have found that the children in the 2-3 classes, find five signs a week a bit too much. But the children in the 3-5 classes have found learning five signs a week is quite easy and enjoyable.
WEEK ONE In week one we began with signs for "Hello, Good Morning/afternoon, Good girl/boy" and "Thank you", from signing DVD.Staff were shown these five signs at the beginning of the week, and had learned these very quickly, they were very excited to show the children and to learn more signs.
All the staff have put up a display of signs of success, to show parents and to involve them in the programme. The staff use their signs by using WOW, which proved to be a success with the children as WOW has now become apart of the nursery.
WEEK TWO We learned signs for "Quiet Now, Sit down, Stand up, Stop" and "Wait. Staff use these everyday with the children that at times they do not even have to use their voices, but only use their hands.
WEEK THREE We learned signs for "Sorry, Help, Well done, Please" and Excuse me". The children have even been using the signs amongst themselves while they are playing. Its amazing how quickly all the children have picked up this different type of communication!
WEEK FOUR We learned signs for "Wow, No, Happy, Sad" and "Hug". I even added in two extra signs this week "That's Right" and "Share Nicely". Staff in the 3-5s department found it easy to teach seven signs to the children, but in the 2-3s department they found it was too much for their children.
By week four all the staff were very intrigued by how all the children had picked up the signs really easily, it was fantastic! We have had parents phoning in and telling us how their children have been communicating with them by using sign language. Parents have given such positive feedback towards this new programme.
Some quotes from parents and staff:
"It´s amazing"
"It´s just really breath taking when the children teach us the signs they have learnt in the nursery"
"I´m astonished at how they remember the signs"
"It´s a wonderful way of communicating with the children"
