The Signing Hands Preschool Theme introduces preschoolers to American Sign Language and the deaf culture. Preschoolers will learn what it means to be deaf and how they can use sign language to talk with their hands

Signing Hands Circle Time

What does it mean to be deaf? – Explain to preschoolers that some people are not able to hear. Tell them that when you cannot hear it is called being deaf. Ask the preschoolers how their life would be different if they could not hear. Have them think of ways that they would communicate with other people.

Talking with your hands – Tell preschoolers that sometimes people who are deaf talk with their hands. This is called American Sign Language or ASL. Explain to the preschoolers that people who are deaf are just like them, except that they cannot hear.

Signing Hands Arts and Crafts

Hand Stamping – Fill a paper plate with paint and have preschoolers spread their fingers and dip their hands in the paint. Have preschoolers use their hands to stamp handprints onto paper. Use fabric paint for this activity and have preschoolers stamp their hands on a white t-shirt to make a personalized t-shirt.

Finger Printing People – Have preschoolers dip their fingertips in paint and use them to stamp their fingerprints on paper. When the fingerprints dry, have preschoolers draw faces on the fingerprints and draw stick bodies with arms and legs.

ASL I-Love-You Craft – Use a simple cut out of your preschoolers hand to create the ASL sign for “I love you”

Signing Hands Math and Science

Hand Cookies – Have preschoolers help measure the ingredients for sugar cookies and stir them together. Roll out the cookie dough and use a hand shaped cookie cutter to cut them into hand shapes. Bake and let the cookies cool. Have the preschoolers decorate the cookies and enjoy them for a snack.

Signing Hands Music and Movement

ASL ABC – Sing the ABC’s while making the signs for the letters of the alphabet. Have the preschoolers follow along with the signs that they know.

Learn the signs to common preschool songs such as “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or “Row Row Row Your Boat”. Practice singing and singing them with your preschoolers.

Signing Hands Pretend Play

What is it like to be deaf? – Have preschoolers spend an hour pretending to be deaf. Explain to them that they will not be allowed to talk to each other but that they must find other ways to communicate. Tell them they can point to things and try to use other body language to communicate. When the activity is over, sit down with the preschoolers to discus how they felt when they were unable to use words to talk to each other.