NJ pre-school uses sign language to help infants, toddlers express their needs
The Learning Experience has dozens of locations across New Jersey - all teaching sign language.
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The Learning Experience pre-school and day care is teaching sign language to give infants and toddlers a voice - long before they can even speak.
For young children, learning sign language can improve their communication skills, empower them to communicate with their parents and engage in more activities.
The center introduced signed language as part of their early childhood education and development curriculum. It has become part of their daily routines.
"You'll see it a lot at circle time or morning meetings," said curriculum coordinator Kathryn Olson. "You'll also see it a meal time as well."
Parents are also involved in this learning process and say they have noticed a difference in their children.
"We have some parents who come in and say, 'Hey my kid showed me more and I was not sure was this one meant, can you tell me?," Olson added. "So, we really partner with the teacher as well as the parent to create that strong bond and connection."
Research shows that infants exposed to sign language can speak earlier, have a larger vocabulary and understand more words by the age of 2, compared to those who are not exposed to sign language.
The Learning Experience has dozens of locations across New Jersey - all teaching sign language.
