Learning Auslan at Aspire Riverwalk
Aspire Riverwalk has had a wonderful opportunity to teach their kids Auslan. One of the centre’s parents knows and uses sign language. Because of this, he has taken time out of his busy schedule to come and teach some basic Auslan words and phrases to the kids!
Auslan is Australia’s official sign language dialect. Nearly 20,000 Australians use it to communicate every day! The name Auslan is short for Australian Sign Language, developed by, and for, Australians who are deaf or hearing impaired. This language system utilises a blend of hand gestures, motions, and facial cues to convey messages.
The language dates back around 200 years, when Scottish, Irish and British immigrants brought sign language from their home countries. Over time, Auslan developed its own unique traits. And just like other languages, Auslan continues to evolve as the Australian deaf and hearing impaired community grows.
It's crucial for young children to learn Australian Sign Language as it fosters inclusivity and communication accessibility. By introducing Auslan early in a child's development, they not only gain a means to communicate effectively with Deaf and hard of hearing individuals but also develop empathy and understanding towards diverse forms of communication.
Learning Auslan promotes cognitive development by engaging different areas of the brain associated with language acquisition and spatial reasoning. Additionally, it instils respect for linguistic diversity and encourages a culture of inclusion, breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive society where everyone's voice is heard and valued.
During the Auslan experience done by one of our kinder parents, children learnt how to spell the first letter of their names. Using the Australian Sign Language alphabet, they practiced fingerspelling, which is when words are spelled out letter by letter. This is especially useful for more uncommon words such as names of people and places.
This activity not only helps them familiarise with the unique Auslan alphabet but also enhances their cognitive and motor skills. Furthermore, the Kinder children are also gaining practical skills. They learn how to ask for basic needs such as food, water, and toilets, which is a valuable knowledge on their life.
Their enthusiasm for acquiring this basic knowledge and sharing it with their peers and adults is a testament to the positive impact of the experience. We are so pleased that we are able to teach these life skills to the kinder children at Aspire Riverwalk.
Aspire Early Education & Kindergarten Riverwalk offers a unique range of learning experiences for its Kindergarten students. There is currently limited availability in their sought-after Kindergarten Programs. Enquire today by clicking here or calling 1800 978 429.
