What’s new in the blog...
Welcome to the Sign Of The Week.
As you will see in the video, I have a little helper with me this week teaching the sign of the week. My son Sebastian is showing you one of the essential Easter signs: EASTER EGG.
You can learn more about Easter signs on my YouTube channel.
Click HERE to view these signs.
EASTER EGG HUNT
Last year, my children and I had a lot of fun recording an EASTER EGG HUNT...
Restricted Interests In Children With Autism.
Having restricted interest is a common characteristic of autism. Children with autism tend to focus in-depth on an issue or activity and have difficulties shifting their attention from the area of interest to something else.
This is often a problem in primary education, as in primary education, we aim to introduce children to a wide variety of...
Welcome to the Sign Of The Week.
Saint Patrick’s Day is almost upon us. This year (2021), as last year, all festivities are cancelled, which means no parades and dancing on the streets of the major cities and towns in Ireland and across the world!
However this year, many towns are being creative, just like mine, and most people are decorating their front gardens so we can all cheer...
Welcome to the Sign Of The Week.
I hope you had a nice St. Patrick’s Day yesterday.
I am blessed to live in county Wicklow near the sea and considering what we would typically be doing on this day, a walk on the beach was perfect to celebrate our national day.
The sunshine made yesterday so unique, as it usually rains on St. Patrick’s day.
Next week, I picked a sign that...
How to organise preschool work for children with autism.
Children with autism benefit greatly from learning in a structured environment. Order and routine will be your best allies when teaching children with additional needs.
Most preschools have a set daily schedule and have well-organised equipment for children, particularly Montessori preschools. Other preschools are more free play...
Welcome to the Sign Of The Week.
As mother’s day approaches, we are looking for new ideas for arts and crafts and poems that children can do in the classroom this week and bring them home on mother’s day.
This week, I will teach you the MOTHER sign to use when you do activities preparing for this lovely day.
I will also be sharing other sighs such as sister, cousin, aunt,...
Planning for your child’s future (An interview with Alan Cuthbert from Financial Wellbeing).
What is the biggest worry of parents of children with special needs?
It’s well known that all parents worry about their child’s future.
However, for parents of children with special needs, this is the biggest concern.
Silently, families question, “what will happen to my child when...
Welcome to the Sign Of The Week.
As I am writing this email to you, glorious sunshine is coming through my studio window. I can see the daffodils in my garden blooming, making me want to get out there and enjoy a bit of warmth. I hear on the radio a weather warning for the west of Ireland, so it might be pouring by the time you read this email. That’s the nature of our wonderful...
Welcome to the Sign Of The Week.
We have had 6 weeks of cold weather and lockdown since the start of the year, and I am ready to get out of the house and enjoy the bit of extra sunlight we are now getting in the evenings.
Spring is here. And with that, some more opportunities for being outdoors and moving.
This week, I am teaching you a sign for sports that will get you and your students...
Welcome to the Sign Of The Week.
The first strategy I spoke about was giving children more control over situations, so they are more likely to cooperate...
Welcome to the Sign Of The Week.
Before Valentine’s day children will start preparations for making valentines cards.
This year (2021) they will have to do things a little differently and make their lovely cards at home, as schools remain closed.
I know many of you are in touch with your students by the SeeSaw app and Zoom so I will teach you a sign that will be really helpful when...
Welcome to the Sign Of The Week.
Have you ever had a student who was too rough with his/her peers? I certainly have.
At the start of my education career, I worked with a young child, Peter, who kept hitting his classmates.
That was so frustrating. It happened again and again and again. No matter how hard I tried to reason with Peter, it didn’t change.
I kept explaining “don’t...
You Won’t Be Cold Anymore With Lámh Signs.
Last year, I recorded one of Mr Tumble´s songs with Lámh signs. Many parents and teachers commented on how helpful that was, so I recorded an updated version of it so more teachers and parents can use it with their children.
Although the weather is cold, we must make sure children go out to play every day. A walk around the...
Welcome to the Sign Of The Week.
At this stage, you probably know that I am a huge advocate for communications systems, such as sign language, right?
But I don´t want you to just take my word for it.
There is tons of research out there, and I want to share the results of one of these studies. Listen to this…
Did you know that when you use signs with instructions, children are 4...
Welcome to the Sign Of The Week.
It’s freezing outside… We would prefer to stay snuggled inside, but a walk around the block is the perfect break after home-schooling all morning.
Just wrap up and go out! And in doing that, you might use this great opportunity to teach children signs for clothing items, like the sign for GLOVES.
(The Lámh official website is ...
Christmas Signs.
Many teachers and parents commented on how useful my Halloween signs compilation was. So, I decided to do something similar to help you learn Christmas signs.
In this Christmas video, I have included some additional signs that people often ask for, such as elf, sleigh, and star.
I hope this video helps you to continue learning signs and giving children with communication...
Welcome to the Sign Of The Week.
Today, I am teaching you a sign that can help you when working on promoting social skills with your students, the sign for SORRY.
Young children often show concern when other children are upset and crying. Support your students understanding other children’s feelings, and encourage them to do something kind for their friends.
Some children might even hug...
Welcome to the Sign Of The Week.
As we move into the end of November and the weather is getting colder, I am going to teach you a sign that you will undoubtedly need from now on: COAT.
Remember that when you introduce a new sign, you should use the new sign with the child as much as possible. So, next week, when you introduce the sign for COAT, make sure you plan other activities to reinforce...
Welcome to the Sign Of The Week.
Today I am going to teach you a sign related to one of the school subjects: P.E. (Physical Education).
Based on a natural gesture, The sign for P.E. is quite fun and easy to learn.
Using the sign for P.E. will help your student understand what activity he/she is about to do. Do the sign for your student before you walk to the yard or the P.E. hall, this will...
Welcome to the Sign Of The Week.
I would like to teach you a sign that I introduce to young children so they can start making their first sentences with Lámh. I introduce this sign once children can use signs for some of their favourite toys, activities or food consistently.
That sign is the sign for WANT.
So, when a child requests “water” with Lámh, I show them the...
Learn how to use First and Then boards, and avoid making the mistake that most people make when introducing this concept for the first time.
First and next boards are elementary schedules that we use to help children with autism learn what activities will happen next. They can also be of benefit to any child or student who finds it challenging to transition from one activity to another.
The...
