Girls at Charlotte House Prep School recently learned to sign a song to help raise money for Sign2Sing.
“We’re so excited to be taking part in Sign2Sing again”, said Head Penny Woodcock. “It’s a fantastic way for children to learn how important communication is, to have fun mastering a little sign language, and to raise money to help improve the health of deaf people. My parents are deaf and so I love the opportunity to encourage others to learn sign language. I have even run a workshop for some of our parents.”
Deaf children are twice as likely to suffer some life threatening illnesses when they are adults, because it’s difficult to get health services or advice in sign language. Money raised by Sign2sing will help SignHealth continue to support deaf people by campaigning for better access to healthcare, and providing a range of services in sign language.
British Sign Language is the first language of almost 100,000 deaf people. It works with a combination of hand gestures and facial expressions.
Penny Woodcock said: “Learning a few words and greetings in sign language is easy to do and great fun. This has become an annual event that the girls love and really look forward to.”
Farlington School’s Prep pupils also took part in the fundraising event, singing and using sign language to perform ‘Reach out your hand’ during assembly.
Farlington School pupils
Along with thousands of schools, businesses and other organisations, they performed a specially written song and signs as they sang. “We were very excited to take part,” said Farlington’s music teacher Mr Dallimore. “It’s a fantastic way for children to learn the importance of communication whilst mastering a little sign language. It has also raised their awareness of how sign language is used.
“All the girls from Reception to Prep 6 have been really engaged by this inclusive project. The girls have worked together very effectively and developed communication, music and motor skills by combining movement with music in a fun, enjoyable way.”
“Learning a few words and greeting signs in sign language is easy to do and great fun”, said Susie Norbury, SignHealth’s Director of Fundraising. “The more that children learn to sign, the more included and less isolated deaf children will be. And the money this event raises is vital so we can continue to trying to give deaf children the same chance of a life as healthy as their hearing friends.”
