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Learning Sign Language

33 replies

EvesMama · 15/08/2006 15:28

while waiting for reg to happen, i want to further my training and although want to do business side more, i really fancy learning sign language as i feel it would be great to teach children and would obviously help with a hearing impared child..or parent for that matter.
has any one done this? and did it help or is it something you have no need for and you think i should do book keeping instead?

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StrawberryMoon · 15/11/2006 22:02

hi i 'was' Evesmama..tried to offer dd's school my extra copy of makaton signing and they said no thanks, will confuse?????????

chelltune · 15/11/2006 21:56

Since 2003 BSL has been recognised as a langauge in the UK. Its used by over 70,000 Deaf people as their first or prefered language. I think it was £1million that the government invested in bringing BSL into schools. With the introduction of the Disabilty Discrimination Act hopefulky things will improve further.

joanna4 · 15/11/2006 18:52

Makaton is also more widely used in school situations -I know as this is part of my job.Makaton learnt by you early would be good grounding for a special needs child as the switch when they move up will be easier.Also as makaton is the preferred method in most schools it might provide continuation for any children you pick up after school or mind before or in the holidays. I find bsl much more fiddly and the children I support could never get to grips with it but are sailing through makaton.Hope this helps.
jo

chelltune · 15/11/2006 15:55

The signs in this book are compatible with BSL and Makaton.

ThePrisoner · 25/08/2006 23:50

I can use Makaton - one of my mindees, who has special needs, uses it. His mum (and mindee too) taught me a lot of it, but I also did a course which was funded as I was a "carer" for him.

All the mindees and my own children learnt to sign as well, and it is still put to great use - I am still particularly adept at telling off a child from a great distance away!! My older mindees still like to use it to communicate and my house can be particularly quiet at times. And Ofsted are always dead impressed!

I have continued to use Makaton with minded babies, and it still amazes parents when their 10 month old starts signing "drink."

Bethron · 17/08/2006 21:38

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EvesMama · 17/08/2006 20:03

now now girls..put your handbags down!!!

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FioFio · 17/08/2006 20:00

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EvesMama · 17/08/2006 08:45

just beat you to it..googled myself and checked ebay too for any support sheets!

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Bethron · 17/08/2006 08:34

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Bethron · 17/08/2006 08:33

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FioFio · 17/08/2006 08:28

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EvesMama · 17/08/2006 08:27

ah thankyou, glad its helping..i was just about to post on SN as i have no idea what the diff is between normal signing and Makaton as ive never encounterd this before, sorry to sound ignormnt..but could you tell me

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Bethron · 17/08/2006 08:23

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EvesMama · 17/08/2006 08:15

bump for JollyMum incase she hasnt seen my addy

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EvesMama · 16/08/2006 14:09

oh id love to see them my email is joanne dot gowland at ntl world dot com..minus all the spaces obviously..thanks so much!

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jollymum · 16/08/2006 14:06

I've got some sheets with Makaton signs on them, I give them to the mums I work with. If you would like a copy, let me know

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EvesMama · 16/08/2006 13:58

soory to sound ignorant but what is makaton? is it more of an expression/body language type of signing apart from hands?

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Original poster
EvesMama · 16/08/2006 13:57

ok so makaton is a type of specialised sign language?..this course doesnt include signing so thats something i would be doing myself, as long as i know which would be more beneficial to children and thier parents i will do that..id be happy if i knew my childminder was going to further lenghs in order to help/understand my child and i have actually put my name down for a separate SN training..it covers children requiing tube feeding and other disabilities..dont know to what level/type of disability id be able to deal with so will discusss this with them more in depth

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geogteach · 16/08/2006 13:38

I'd be careful about going for BSL as you may find there is not that much demand, my son is deaf and totally oral and I know others who are similar. You may find more demand for makaton as I know a friend wose son has SN found it difficult to find care for him.

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EvesMama · 16/08/2006 13:25

just been into C I S and they putting together a course for nvq Level 3 in child care
this will include all aspects of care ie: behaviour, birth to three, SN etc and we can pick 5 elements to learn and qualify in!

can all be done at home with 24 hour tutor help if required...how fab is our surestart C I S!

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Original poster
EvesMama · 15/08/2006 20:11

not baby signing just sign language basics, then there is a further advanced course..i thought it sounded good?

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Chandra · 15/08/2006 20:05

If it's for baby signing, the book and videos by Joseph Garcia (available from Amazon) were the best resources I found when I tried it when DS was a baby. It worked beautifully, DS could sign for his basic needs (milk, food, nappy, more, sleep (his comforter), and most useful, don't touch -which he ended up using on us!!!), it was great, he hardly cried as he could communicate his needs so well.

As for a deeper course to work with hearing impaired people... I'm going to start a course in September. It includes lip reading and sign language. It lasts for 8m I believe. It costs £70 but considering the depth and lenght of the course I think it is well worth it.

Original poster
EvesMama · 15/08/2006 20:04

im there tomorrow, ill have to ask.
better write a list of things!

am taking gp form to gp tomorrow, spoke to receptionist today who says i wil have to pay them, theyll tell me how much when i drop it off,
going then to CIS/CCP to ask about insurance and NCMA membership, fish for start up grants and anything else i may be eligable for(this lady seems a lot more reluctant to help than girl who just left)
will also ask about free courses
and am asking about any tips they can give me for ofsted's visit...anythign else i could do with asking??

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Katymac · 15/08/2006 20:01

Check with you CIS - you should be eligible for free courses (or at least reduced cost ones)