[Gillian Reese]

I think Sign language supports students by using TPR (total physical response). By matching words or concepts with a gesture, students will be able to use movement to learn, helping them remember the new information. Socially, sign language can help students who have difficulty speaking to communicate with their peers. Showing young children the sign for “stop” can help them to set limits with others and stop them from becoming frustrated and hitting

[Trainer]

Great insights, Gillian! Your connection between TPR and sign language highlights its impact on memory and social communication skills.

[Shannon G]

Studies have shown that sign language supports brain development in young children linguistically, cognitively, and socio-emotionally. Because it is a visual language, it is processed on the right side of the brain; therefore using both spoken language and sign language engages both brain hemispheres, developing more synapses. I have seen young children–particularly toddlers, and older children with speech delays–using sign language to communicate and express things that they were not able to yet with verbal language. I have also witnessed two-year-old language learners using both together; and a young boy with language delays starting to verbally express a word that he had previously only signed.

[Trainer]

Great insights, Shannon! Your observations highlight the powerful connection between sign language and language development in children.

[jumana]

Using sign language supports brain development in preschool-aged children by strengthening communication pathways, enhancing memory, and promoting early language skills. When children learn to associate a sign with a word or concept, they are practicing symbolic thinking, which is essential for literacy, problem-solving, and cognitive growth. Signing also helps children manage frustration because they have a way to express their needs and feelings before they can fully articulate them with spoken words.For example, I noticed a preschooler in my class who often became upset during snack time because they couldn’t ask for more food. After introducing the sign for <em data-start=”741″ data-end=”747″>more, the child quickly learned to use it to communicate their request. This not only reduced frustration but also helped the child engage more positively with peers and adults. Over time, I observed that the child began to pair the sign with the spoken word, showing clear growth in both language comprehension and self-expression.

[Trainer]

Great insights, Jumana! Your example beautifully illustrates how sign language fosters communication and emotional expression in young children.

[Shannon]

We had a nonverbal autistic child in our class, and we worked hard on a few basic signs. They were instrumental in opening up his ability to communicate his basic wants and needs.

[Trainer]

Great observation, Shannon! It’s inspiring to see how sign language can empower nonverbal children to express themselves effectively.

[Gaby]

Sign language supports brain development in preschoolers because it builds up their communication skills by giving them another way to express their thoughts and emotions. Supporting their understanding of verbal language and reinforcing vocabulary. Improving their reading and comprehension skills. As well as improving their memory, attention, problem-solving, imagination, and creativity. I had an experience with a student in my class who was having big emotions. They were not able to express themselves verbally but through sign to let me know what was happening(they were missing their family), and (with the little bit of sign that I did know) I was able to piece together the situation and help the student and comfort them.

[Appollonia Washington]

Using sign language supports brain development in preschool aged children by engaging multiple areas of the brain at the same time. I remember a child who became frustrated during center time began using the sign for “help” instead of crying. Once the child consistently used the sign, verbal attempts followed shortly after. The sign gave them confidence and a successful communication experience which reduced frustration and supported emotional regulation.

[Rachel]

I think that sign language supports brain development in preschool-aged children by exposing them to multiple languages and communicate methods. The younger children in my class will often default to basic signs such as ‘more’ and ‘please’ when they are having a hard time communicating themselves / being understood verbally.

[Julien Baker]

Preschool-aged children are absorbing their environment and the world around them, one of which is means of communication. ASL presents a unique language skill to be absorbed into their lexicon through execution of fine motor skills. It allows children to understand the meaning of a word not just through implication or explanation, but through an associated movement. This gives the child more avenues of expression and language exploration that can be built upon through their school years. An example that comes to mind is from my own school, where the children have been given basic ASL words/phrases since infancy. These children are able to communicate their needs immediately with adults throughout their stay in the infant and toddler programs. When they arrive to my preschool class, they are noticeably confident communicators. We are able to communicate silently so as not to disturb other children and their work.

[Trainer]

Julien, your insights on ASL’s impact on communication and confidence in children are spot on! Great example!

[Michaela]

Using sign language with pre-schoolers supports their development in many ways. It supports multiple avenues of brain growth as well as physical development, while offering children an alternate means of communication to just using speech. We have had a child in our classroom before use primarily sign to communicate before realizing she did so because she had issues with her hearing. Spoken language came later for her, once she got tubes, and sign language helped her communicate without frustration until then.

[Alida]

Sign language is a multi-sensory form of communication. Children who have difficulties expressing themselves may be able to use signs. It is also an engaging form of communication that requires the use of both sides of the brain and movement. Children who have sensory needs may be able to use sign language to meet their need for movement and multi-sensory input.

[Madison Jones]

If the preschooler has been learning sign language already, this is a time developmentally where they are using more words and fine tuning their motor skills allowing them to be a better signer and communicator. If they haven’t they are still in a good window for learning.

[Heidi George]

How do you think using sign language supports brain development in preschool-aged children? Can you share an experience where you noticed a child better understanding or expressing themselves through signs before using spoken words?Preschool aged children can benefit from using sign language because they’re building motor skills, expanding their understanding of language and communication. I don’t have enough crossover with older children to pull a memory of a preschooler using a sign before spoken language. It does happen a lot with the toddlers I work with though. It is sometimes their first go-to

[Jill]

Its great for brain development and fine motor skills. It helps children communicate words that can be difficult to say

[Lorna]

Using sign language supports brain development by strengthening communication pathways, memory, and fine motor skills while reducing frustration in young children. It gives preschoolers a way to express their needs and understand concepts before their verbal language is fully developed. I’ve seen children who were not yet using spoken words confidently use signs like more, all done, and help, which allowed them to communicate clearly and feel successful.

[Beckie]

Using sign language in the preschool classroom can strongly support <strong data-start=”68″ data-end=”89″>brain development because it engages multiple areas of the brain at the same time—language, motor planning, visual processing, and memory.