http://www.boroday.info/sign-language-help/
As a teacher, you are challenged with students who have a difficult time focusing in class. They often seem to be busy and constantly on-the-go. Often times, these children are labeled with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Regardless of diagnosis, or lack thereof, you have been given the responsibility of educating this child. When it seems too difficult, it is important to remember that there are alternative methods of teaching these children, and one of them is to use American Sign Language signs. This approach does not need to be taught as a separate lesson, but rather incorporated into your current curriculum.
Dr. Marilyn Daniels states in her book, Dancing with Words, that children who have been diagnosed with ADD are more likely to retain information and new words when they are presented with the material visually. “The point is clearly articulated by Freed and Parsons in Right-Brained Children in a Left-Brained World: Unlocking the Potential of Your ADD Child: ‘It is a given that these youngsters (ADD) must visualize in order to learn and that they process exclusively in pictures’” (1997, p.61). Therefore, in order to strengthen an ADD or ADHD child’s ability to learn and understand new words, you must help them to visualize an image of that word in their mind, or develop a mental picture. Sign language signs are typically iconic, meaning that the sign often represents an image of that actual word (like in the word house you sign the roof and the two walls). This can be very useful to help a child create a mental image. Even those signs that are not iconic can still represent the word visually.
In addition to the visual elements of sign language, the ADHD child can also benefit because it is a language that requires movement. When you teach your student a sign and they repeat it the sign back to you, they are using their hands, bodies, and facial expressions to demonstrate the new word. Kinesthetic learners especially benefit from this because they are able to use their bodies in order to learn new information.
When you incorporate sign language into your regular curriculum, it is easier for your students to actively participate in their learning, rather than remain a passive listener. The use of this visual and physical language will allow your students to be more engaged in what they are learning. Sign language instruction will not only help the hearing children in your class, but also specifically help ADD and ADHD children to learn more easily.
Kim Taylor-DiLeva is an educational trainer and owner of Kim’s Signing Solutions http://www.kimssigningsolutions.com. She conducts parent and teacher workshops throughout New York State and conducts sign language enrichment classes for daycares and preschools in the Albany, NY area.
Baby Sign Language: Help
|
|
Cosmopolitan: Tonetics [VHS] $7.95 This is Vlume 2 of a 2 volume set. It includes parts 2, 3 and 4. Content as follows: Part 2: Jehovah’s Righteous Requirements Part 3 Submission to Jehovah’s Arrangement of Things Part 4 Works That Demonstrate Christian Faith Concluding Questions For Discussion Great for home use or in church study groups, youth meetings, etc… |
|
|
On-The-Move Munchkins Parent & Toddler Fitness $15.99 Fit2gether truly enhances physical fitness as well as the emotional connection and bond between family members as they strut their stuff and learn new and fun Yoga and Pilates Moves and Grooves together. This DVD is not only fun to watch, but healthy for the body and mind! Parents and Tots will workout, gain strength and flexibility, build strong bones, enhance coordination and motor development a… |
|
|
Sammons Preston Signing Time, Sign Language Learning … |
|
|
Sign Language Made Simple: A Complete Introduction to American Sign Language $6.25 Sign Language Made Simple will include five Parts:Part One: an introduction, how to use this book, a brief history of signing and an explanation of how signing is different from other languages, including its use of non-manual markers (the use of brow, mouth, etc in signing.)Part Two: Fingerspelling: the signing alphabet illustrated, the relationship between signing alphabet and ASL signsPart Thre… |
|
|
Animal-Wise: The Spirit Language and Signs of Nature $19.95 … |
|
|
1,001 Symbols: An Illustrated Guide to Imagery and Its Meaning $2.85 Pleasingly chunky and vibrantly colorful, this pocket-sized compendium covers iconography from around the world and is perfect for travel and museum outings. Author Jack Tresidder examines common imagery in art, religion, and literature, revealing hidden meanings rich with cultural history. For example, did you know that the phrase “salt of the earth” comes from the ancient use of salt as a preser… |
|
|
Earobics: Step 1 – Sound Foundations for Reading & Spelling Appropriate for older students struggling with reading, spelling, and comprehension. Includes six interactive programs with over 300 levels of multimedia instruction. Beginning level for ages 10 and older. Accommodates 2 users and a guest…. |
