What’s new in the blog...
(Illustration 30939548 © Tigatelu | Dreamstime.com)
It's the season for school Christmas concerts and plays, and there is lots of excitement in the classroom as children rehearse for the Christmas recital.
Today, I want to share some points to consider when planning Christmas concerts with children with special needs, whether they attend regular or special classes.
Seeing the kids dressed...
(Illustrations and book credit Rod Campbel)
This blog has a surprise for you: a Christmas story read with Lámh signs.
I recorded a video of the book "Dear Santa" by Rod Campbell.
You will find a list of the Lámh signs used below, as I use a combination of Lámh signs and natural gestures, so you know which is which.
I hope you and your children enjoy watching it!
List...
(Photo 133112104 © Melpomenem | Dreamstime.com)
In today's blog, I answer a question a mom sent me recently:
How can I teach pointing to my 2yrs 4months nonverbal child, so he can tell me what he wants?
So let's go straight to the point and learn all about pointing.
Pointing is an important milestone for young children.
Some children point using their index finger, although others...
Become your own CEO - My Message To Parents
(An Enable Ireland Podcast)
Enable Ireland has launched its new Podcast (and a video version of it, too), called Enable Conversations, and I was honoured to be their first guest.
In this conversation with its host, Sebastian Koppe, I speak about my experience as a parent and professional.
I also share what interventions I implemented...
I have recorded a free mini-training video answering some of the questions I received over the past while.
In this video, I discuss the topic:
How to help expand children's attention span.
You may be interested in this week's topic if your child or student:
- Wanders around the classroom or the playroom, exploring toys but not playing with them.
- ...
(Credits: Written by Laura Numeroff & Illustrated by Felicia Bond)
It's Pumpkin Day, Mouse (With Lámh Signs)
Boo!
Halloween is a very exciting time of the year for the kids. Spooky costumes, trick or treating, and the thought of getting enough sweets to last them for an entire year have all kids ecstatic.
I have a little surprise for you here, and it's not a spooky one.
I...
What would you ask me if we were having a coffee together?
As I prepare new vlogs and articles, I want to ensure that the new content I create is helpful to you. And that is why I would love to hear what's in your mind.
Would you like to know more about parenting a child with additional needs? Or about early intervention for children with autism or Down...
(Photo 132965293 © Fizkes | Dreamstime.com)
10 tips to help children understand the meaning of words
When we support children who are not speaking yet, we tend to be anxious for them to say their first words. However, we must first focus on understanding language and the meaning of words, as children need to understand words before using them to...
(Illustration 86129827 © Alexander Shatilov | Dreamstime.com)
Welcome to The Sign Of The Week
Lámh Sign For STORY
I encourage you to practice reading STORIES with Lámh signs.
You can learn to sign for Susan Laughs and then read it to your kids or watch my video with the little ones.
Most names are signed with the first letter of their name, so here's...
(Credits: Susan Laughs is written by Jeanne Willis and illustrated by Tony Ross)
Susan Laughs (Read with Lámh Signs)
Do you use Lámh when you read stories in the classroom or at home?
Using signs while reading books can be a bit tricky at first. You may not know all the signs, and it's hard to read a new story and sign along if you haven't...
3 Ways To Make The Most Of Therapy Time
You may not be surprised to hear that services for children with disabilities are stretched...to say the least!
Parents and teachers are crying out for support, and direct therapist intervention is scarce.
But you can do something to maximise the benefits of the time available with...
(Illustration 247078148 © Colorfuelstudio | Dreamstime.com)
Welcome to The Sign Of The Week
Lámh Sign For NAME
As children return to school and meet new faces, you will need the sign for NAME. You can use this sign to talk about other children, who they are and their names.
In Lámh, we typically use the first letter of the person’s name to sign any names. For example,...
(Photo 20707953 © Alain Lacroix | Dreamstime.com)
How we helped Sebastian prepare for the trip to Helsinki
Here in the Angel household, we did different things this summer.
Typically every summer, we spend a few weeks near Barcelona with my parents (that’s where I am from originally).
But not this summer!
One of my nieces got married in Helsinki, Finland, where she lives, and...
Time To Go Home Song (With Lámh Signs)
In today's blog, I will teach you the last of the three songs I recorded recently; Time To Go Home. I learned this song from a speech therapist I worked with many years ago, I loved this song, and to this day, I sing it to children at the end of their visits with me at the clinic.
I sing it every time for the little ones, so when...
(Illustration 74874278 © Kyrylo Halkin | Dreamstime.com)
Welcome to last The Sign Of The Week of the school term 2022
First, I want to say a massive THANK YOU for following The Sign Of The Week. I am so moved every time teachers and parents share stories with me about how Lámh has given children who can´t speak a voice. Thank you for your commitment to teaching and...
The Clean Up Song (With Lámh Signs)
Last week you learned the signs for the Happy Birthday song. This week, I have another song plus tutorial for you.
Today, you will learn the Lámh signs for The Clean Up song.
If you work with young children, you most likely use this song to get your kids to put things away. If you didn't know this song before, you will see your kids...
(Illustration 19390512 © Yael Weiss | Dreamstime.com)
Welcome to a very special Sign Of The Week
I am honoured to have this Sign Of The Week presented by Pádraig O'Callaghan, a 12-year-old boy with Down Syndrome from Limerick.
You may already know him for his well-known Monday Motivation 'Paudcast'. Pádraig is a young self-advocate for people with all...
I have recorded 3 new songs for you!
This week, I had fun recording three songs with Lámh signs in our studio.
More than likely, you often sing these songs at home and in the classroom.
We are going to do one song a week for the next three weeks (Coinciding with the last three weeks of the school term)
The songs are:
Happy birthday.
Clean Up.
Time To Go Home.
The first song we are...
(Illustration 19390512 © Yael Weiss | Dreamstime.com)
Welcome to the Sign Of The Week
Lámh Sign For TO RUN
As the end of the school year is approaching, many preschools and schools have a Sports Day.
In this video, you will learn a Lámh sign you will need during Sports Day, the sign for TO RUN.
To sign for TO RUN, place both hands in S hand shape, with your palms facing you....
(Photo 229623173 © Picsfive | Dreamstime.com)
Is it reinforcement or bribery?
As educators and parents, we offer praise when our children cooperate and follow instructions. We might even provide reinforcements for it, such as when we ask them to do a tabletop task and once completed, the child can play with their favourite toy.
Other times, we use reinforcers to get us out of...
(Illustration 86517877 © Marinamays | Dreamstime.com)
Welcome to the Sign Of The Week
This week you will learn the Lamh sign for CLASS.
This sign can be used with two different words: CLASS or GROUP. You can sign CLASS to refer to the classroom, the children in the class, and the word GROUP.
To sign for CLASS or GROUP, place both hands in L hand shape, palms facing each other, fingers...
