Signing is Movement

By Colleen Brunetti, M.Ed.

Children learn through movementOver the last several years, children have become more and more sedentary, spending longer time in front of a screen, and less time running, jumping and just moving.  There’s been a lot of concern over the consequences of this change in activity level: from issues with physical development, to childhood obesity, to learning and behavioral problems. Add to that more time sitting at desks in the classroom, and less time running at recess and gym, and we as a nation have a challenge on our hands.

This is not to say all is lost, however. PBS recently published an article on the benefits of physical activity for children, with a particular focus on integrating physical activity in the classroom. They point out that:

“It has often been said, “children learn through movement.” In addition to the health benefits of physical activity, movement is an integral part of the young child’s life and education, for it is through movement that children develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills. For young children, movement is a critical means of communication, expression, and learning. It is imperative that classroom teachers give children as many opportunities as possible to be physically active and to learn through movement.”

Now… we here at Signing Time have a fantastic tool for learning through movement. Sign language is naturally a language of movement, and as such, integrates beautifully into any curriculum as a way to support both a child’s innate need to move, and overall learning across the curriculum.

Check out our Classroom Edition and the Preschool and Childcare Program, both full programs, and excellent enhancers to any curriculum. Or, for a smaller start, try the  “Move and Groove” DVD, where children can run, walk, climb, wiggle, giggle and more throughout their day, making learning both fun and more effective.

Signing Time Classroom EditionSigning Time Preschool and Child Care Program Move and Groove DVD

Get the full PBS article to get more ideas on how to integrate movement into a curriculum.

Scroll to Top