Summer Fun Pilots Keiki Signing Class
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Del.icio.usThe city launched a pilot program this summer in Aikahi that could put words in the hands of children with barriers to language.
Sign language was introduced at the six-week Summer Fun sessions at Aikahi Elementary School.
“We wanted the programs to be user-friendly to people who are deaf,” explained Colleen Casey, director of the city parks’ Therapeutic Recreation Unit.
At the Aikahi Summer Fun, up to 200 children assemble, then go to a homeroom for arts and crafts, music and dance. This year, for about two days a week, some of the games included learning sign language. A carnival game, for example, helped children learn what some signs mean.
“The reason we chose Aikahi is that it had several students who are deaf,“Casey said.“We had three kids who were hard of hearing in the Aikahi summer fun program, but none who were (totally) deaf.”
An interpreter cannot always be located to assist hearing-impaired youngsters, she said, so the sign language lessons allow staff and children open up communications more.
“We hope it will help foster friendships and communication,” she said.
At least one parent has seen progress for her 6-year-old. Kaneohe’s Linda Elento is grateful for the program for her son Jason, a hearing child who has Down syndrome. Since he has difficulty speaking, she explained, he uses sign language. When other children do not know how to sign or communicate with him, then he can’t engage in the group setting.
“The best part was for Jason to see other kids signing,” Elento recalled.“He’s been able to be with other normal kids and communicate with sign language. It gives him the opportunity to learn colors and numbers, and to play with someone who responds to his signing.
“He realizes he’s being accepted, and he sees other kids who want to learn to sign, too.”
Both city recreation specialist Debbie Hirata-Humphrey and her assistant Fran Kenyon know how to sign. The city Department of Parks and Recreation will be evaluating how the class went to determine if they will offer it in the future.
Casey is hopeful that more staff will be trained to sign.
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