IMPROVE FINE MOTOR AND SPELLING SKILLS WITH AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
Fairy languages, secret spy codes, and Egyptian hieroglyphics -- kids love pretending to communicate in different ways. Make this imaginary play come alive! Teach your child to sign the letters of the alphabet. Learning the American Sign Language (ASL) alphabet is not only fun, it strengthens finger muscles for better handwriting!
The Internet has many illustrations of the alphabet, like the one at this link http://asl.ms/()/fingerspellingchart.htm While your child is learning the hand positions for each letter, keep a chart nearby. As your child memorizes the hand positions for each letter, encourage spelling without looking at the chart. Try the following activities to learn and use your new way of communicating with each other:
- Practice spelling words.
- Spell words for each other and talk using only your hands.
- Include a quiet, finger-spelling time at meal time.
Your child's spelling skills can also improve while learning ASL because it provides another pathway for multisensory learning. Kids
see their spelling words. They
hear their spelling words while practicing them aloud. Because finger spelling requires a motion for each letter, kids can
feel the letters and further reinforce their spelling memory.
Another idea is to teach some of the basic hand gestures from American Sign Language such as I love you, how are you, I'm fine, and good job. One site that shows these signs is http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/good-job With a little practice you and your child can communicate through the bus window or across the soccer field. Share ASL signs with siblings and friends, too, so everyone can try this means of communication.
Another fun, finger-strengthening activity with similar characerisitcs is making shadow puppets. Create different figures by imitating various hand positions in front of a light source. Try a flashlight under a blanket tent, or use the sun against a wall or over a sidewalk. Encourage your child to learn multiple figures and then create a play to entertain family and friends.
Happy signing!
Toni M. Schulken, MS, OTR/L
