Hey there Deneen (and Nikki too- neat that you were in MO recently! Are you far away?) -
Yes - I think it would be awesome to have sign language video clips available to be added to the little reader word files. It certainly is possible - Deneen, I too, am faced with a lack in focus
and am really constrained on free time these days (aren't we all, though!
). Anyway, I know that there are websites that demo (for free) examples of adults performing individual signs that correspond with spoken words, but I don't know about the legality of copying and using these in our Little Reader programs.
As for what type of sign language we should incorporate, I would recommend that we find files (or create our own) that use Sign English versus American Sign Language (ASL). The reason I say this is b/c ASL is really its own complete language with unique syntax (grammar) that differs from spoken English. If own is using spoken English and is pairing individual signs with his/her words, it would make more sense to use Sign English sign language. I hope that all made sense. The exception to this I guess would be individuals who are using Little Reader who are Deaf and who want their children to learn ASL.
I am glad to hear that many people are interested in and are already pairing sign language with spoken words and are teaching basic sign to their toddlers. "Toddlerhood" can be a time of great frustration for kiddos b/c their comprehension (ability to understand language) is typically ahead of their ability to verbally state their wants and needs. If they can initially use signs to make those requests (or pair those signs with their word attempts that may not be very clear when they first start speaking), then sometimes that "toddler" frustration can be minimized. I certainly saw this with my first child (now 4 1/2) when she was 13-18 months. She had some true words (about 10-12) that she could speak but other words were just not coming for her. However, she survived this time in her life b/c she had about 15-20 signs that she could use to request and comment on other things around her. As she started being able to speak the words that went along with these signs, her use of these signs began to fade. It is neat though (now that we are signing to our 10 month old) to see her using some of those signs with her brother, encouraging him to ask for "more" tickles or for something to "eat".
Okay, got a bit off track there, but that is me!!
Anyhoo, would love to see signs added to our categories - haven't yet done any digging re: the internet as to whether there are easy ways to get this accomplished using what is already out there, would be interested in making our own sign files and collaborate with you, Deneen, just not sure when I could actually make the committment to participate in a new project at this point!
Bye for now - take care all!
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