Preschoolers love new things. Have you considered trying sign language with your preschool agers? Not only is it fun and an additional way to communicate, they'll love having a "secret" language to share with you.
Sign language can come in handy and is easily learned by preschooler. Use signing to:
– create an environment for understanding without words
– help children avoid frustration when words don’t come easily
– foster language refinement – they can use signs to clarify
– provide ways to communicate with non-hearing people
– help them focus attention more directly since signing requires eye-contact (children are often overloaded with sound)
– foster self-esteem by giving children more control in expressing themselves
– channel kinetic energy positively
– have an option for stopping poor behavior in a calm, quiet way
Here are some resources to check out on signing:
ASL – American Sign Language Resources
An article on sign language and autisum
Sign & Sing – Kindermusik's signing class for children ages 6 months to 3 years
-by Kindermusik educator Theresa Case. Theresa's Kindermusik program, Kindermusik at Piano Central Studios, is in the top 1% of all programs in the world.