At BestStart Lynmore, our pēpi have been exploring the foundations of communication through the introduction of simple sign language during everyday care routines such as kai time, sleep (moe), and nappy changing (kope).
This initiative has been a key focus for me, supporting my personal goal of learning to sign while empowering our pēpi to express their needs and emotions, especially during the early stages when verbal language is still developing.
By incorporating basic signs into our daily interactions, we’re providing our pēpi with valuable tools to communicate clearly and confidently. We have been learning signs such as "More," "Please," "Thank You," "Again," "Hungry," "Kai" (food), "Drink," "Patara" (bottle), and "Kope" (nappy).
These signs are used consistently by kaiako, and we’re beginning to see our tamariki recognizing and even attempting to use them themselves. To further support this learning, we have introduced photos of our pēpi’s older siblings demonstrating these signs.
These photos are proudly displayed on our wall, creating a sense of connection between age groups and providing visual reinforcement for our younger learners. This not only strengthens whanaungatanga but also makes the learning more relatable and engaging.
Introducing sign language not only reduces frustration for our pēpi by giving them tools to express themselves, but it also supports their emotional well-being and sense of autonomy. In addition to everyday signs, we have also started incorporating action waiata into our routines, further reinforcing communication through music, movement, and repetition.
This journey has been both rewarding and enriching for us all.