Inclusion Matters – Signing – Why Bother? With Al Start

In this week’s podcast, Dale Pickles from B Squared is joined by Al Start. Al is a singer-songwriter who specialises in music for children and schools through her company Go Kid Music. Al has worked with children through creative art organisations and local authority play services. Al has also toured the UK and East Coast USA performing her music. There are different types of sign language, British sign language or BSL is the primary language used for deaf people, and less than 1 in 10 people in the UK know more than two words in British Sign Language. There is also Makaton tht uses symbols sign and speech to support communication. Sign language isn’t always an alternative to speech, it can be used to support speech. Why use signing in your school? How can you introduce it to all students? How can your staff learn? Why is it important? Visual communication methods such as Makaton support spoken language and help everyone understand. Many schools do not use signing, some do but only in a class with a child with send, but there is evidence to show kinaesthetic learning is your secret weapon as well as being inclusive, fun, creative, supportive, respectful and beautiful! Resources: https://www.singup.org/ Songbooks published by Collins Music: “Sing! Play! Learn! with Go Kid Music” Topic songs for KS1 & KS2 Contact Al Start: Website: Go Kid Music Twitter: @gokidmusic Facebook: facebook.com/gokidmusic