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Learning how to use NZ Sign Language
Over the last few weeks we have been learning how to use some sign language! We have been learning the alphabet in sign language and many of us know how to spell the first letter of our names!
New Zealand Sign Language is unique to New Zealand and is the main language of New Zealand’s Deaf community. NZSL became an official language in New Zealand in April 2006.
NZSL was created by deaf people for deaf people. It's a natural language that conveys information via a combination of signs, facial expressions and body movements. It is not based on English or other spoken languages and is not just finger spelling.
NZSL reflects life in New Zealand by including signs for Māori concepts.
Last Tuesday the pre-school were very lucky to have a visit from Gretchen. Gretchen is a sign language expert and has been teaching people how to use sign language for many, many years!
Gretchen taught us how to sing 'Happy Birthday' in Sign Language and she even read us a book about a boy who had just started using his very own pair of hearing aids to help him hear better.
She also brought in some puppet friends who taught us how use sign language for some of our favorite foods like oranges. We also learnt the words for some animals like 'cat, 'dog' and 'rabbit'.
We're having so much fun learning different ways to communicate with others!