Children’s Key Word Sign Training – Libraries
This page outlines training for Libraries. For training tailored to Early Learning Centres, allied health, schools, families and other child-focused settings, please click here.
Designed for Libraries and Library Services
Libraries are for everyone, and communication is a big part of making every child and family feel welcome.
Children’s Key Word Sign (CKWS) gives library staff a practical way to make Storytime, Rhyme Time and everyday interactions more visual, accessible and inclusive, particularly for children who are still developing speech or who communicate in different ways.
CKWS uses signs kindly borrowed from Auslan alongside spoken English, with signs added to the key words in a sentence (It is known as an augmentative and alternative communication tool (AAC)). It doesn’t replace speech and staff don’t need to learn an entire language or sign every word. For more information on Key Word Sign click here.
Our library training is practical, engaging and designed specifically for library settings. We don’t just teach signs. We explore the what, why and how of CKWS, then show staff how to use signs and natural gestures confidently through songs, stories, children’s programs and everyday library interactions.
Why does our Library Need Children’s Key Word Sign?
Library staff meet children with a wide range of communication skills and needs. CKWS gives your team another practical tool to help children understand, participate and communicate.
Your team will leave with:
✔ Greater confidence supporting different communication needs
✔ Practical ways to make spoken language easier to understand
✔ More ways for children to participate, respond and make choices
✔ Strategies that can support children who are still developing speech, use AAC or benefit from visual communication
✔ Skills and signs they can start using straight away
It’s not about replacing speech. It’s about giving children more ways to understand and be understood.
Introduction to Children’s Key Word Sign
Library Training
We’re here to support your team without judgement, with practical strategies to help everyone start or get back to signing with confidence. This training is ideal for library teams new to Children’s Key Word Sign, new staff or teams wanting to build confidence and consistency. The training is approximately 3 hours and includes:
80+ practical key word signs and gestures
Library-specific sign vocabulary
Signs for Songs, Rhyme Time & Storytime
Physical and Digital Resources & ongoing support
No previous signing experience is required.
This practical training session builds understanding, confidence and immediate application of Children’s Key Word Sign (CKWS) across storytime, rhymetime, playtime and other common library activities.
What You’ll Learn
✔ What Children’s Key Word Sign
✔ Benefits for children your library and community
✔ The difference between Key Word Sign and Auslan
✔ How to sign and use signs alongside spoken language
✔ How to choose which key words to sign
✔ What are core and fringe signs
✔ How to add signs naturally to Rhyme Time and children’s songs
✔ Practical strategies for adding signs and gestures to Storytime and shared reading
✔ How to use natural gestures alongside formal signs
✔ How to begin creating a consistent signing environment within your library
Your team will have plenty of opportunities to practise, with signs taught through familiar songs, stories and realistic library situations.
Who This Training Is For
✔ Services new to CKWS
✔ Teams needing a refresh or confidence boost
✔ New or onboarding educators
✔ Individual educators
✔ Services wanting consistent use across the team
Training for your Library
For Libraries getting started or building consistency across the team
- Introductory Library Key Word Sign Resource Pack + digital resources
- Training for up to 10 participants]
- Lanyard flashcards for each participant
- Practical 3-hour hands-on workshop
- Implementation strategies you can use immediately
Resources Included
Physical Resources
- A4 Song & Sign Book
- Lanyard Flashcards (per participant)
Digital Resources
- Recap of introductory CKWS training
- Sign tutorials, song videos with sign videos
- Ongoing access to support materials
Delivery Options
Training can be delivered:
✔ In person at your library*
✔ Live online
Session format options:
✔ One full 3-hour session
✔ Two 1.5-hour sessions
Additional Resources
Want more CKWS resources? Click here to visit our resources page and check out our wide range of items to fully immerse your library in CKWS
Pricing – inc GST
Training for up to 10 participants: $1980
Additional participants: $88 per person
Partnering with other services
For smaller teams, rural or remote libraries, or libraries wanting to build stronger local connections, we encourage partnering with other services to share costs, resources, ideas and learning opportunities. Collaborative training can help create a supportive signing community while making in-person training more accessible for everyone involved.
* In person training incurs travel costs. Travel is calculated from our main office on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
All pricing is inclusive of GST