Should Sign Language be Taught at School?
Sign language is a manual communication language often used among the deaf and hard of hearing communities. Hearing aids are not readily available to everyone, and are also not a solution for every case of deafness and hearing impairment, and this is where sign language becomes the answer to specific needs.
Sign language is often thought of as a language for the deaf, but other uses are very obvious like certain social situations where audible speech is not appropriate such as a library. Would we all benefit from learning this form or language, and should sign language be taught to children from an early age?
Many think so, and the teaching of sign language to young children is known as baby sign. The theory goes that speech lags behind cognitive ability, and can lead children to frustration and tantrums when they are unable to effectively communicate their wants and needs through speech.
The belief is that children who are taught to sign at around 6 months old are able to effectively communicate through sign language at around 9 months.
Sign language helps to bridge any gap between deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people, but it can also bridge cultural gaps, and where language can be greatly different, sign language can plug the gap and aid communication.
Sign languages also have their advantages in social situations such as in busy, crowded areas where it is noisy such as bars. It can also be used in areas where speech may not be allowed such as in museums, libraries, cinemas and theatres.
Scuba diving, recording studios, stock exchanges and other loud workplaces are further examples of where sign language would be an incredibly useful form of communication.
Of course there are initiatives out there which are actively promoting sign language in children, both deaf and hearing. A CBeebies program aimed at young children is one example of how sign language is being taught you children from an early age. Something Special, which features the friendly and animated presenter Mr Tumble, aims to teach young children how to use Makaton sign language to communicate.
Common worries of teaching sign language to young children is that it may in fact inhibit the development of vocal speech, but this is not that case, in fact quite the opposite. Studies have shown that sign language communication from a young age can in fact encourage the development of speech in young children.There is also said to be benefits for autistic children. The Helena Independent Record shows that a nine year old boy, who hadn’t communicated since he was 2 years old, began to communicate basic needs through sign language.
Sign language is clearly useful for everyday situations. When you consider the benefits for everyday people, on top of the benefits that have been seen in children and their development, surely sign language is something that every child should be taught.