Key Word Sign – What is it? – Sunshine Sign and Sing

What is Key Word Sign?

Key Word Sign (KWS) is the use of manual signs, facial expressions and natural gestures used alongside spoken words to assist communication for those that are pre-verbal or have communication difficulties. It is known as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Tool. This means that key word sign can augment speech, and be used alongside speech by the communication partner or by a child or person that has unclear speech or other communication difficulties. It can also be used instead of speech (alternate to speech) if the child is non verbal or non speaking.

In Australia, signs are borrowed from Australian Sign Language (Auslan) with only key words of a sentence being signed while the corresponding words are spoken.

It is one of the most widely used strategies for people that cannot communicate by speech alone.

We already use signs and gestures in our everyday life, with Key Word Sign we are simply expanding on these gestures and giving them more purpose.

Show less

The History of Key Word Sign

Humans have always used gestures and signs as a means of communication.

Research suggests that hand gestures and spoken language are integrally linked in human evolution and that language developed from and within gesture systems rather than from vocal calls.

Formalised deaf signing teaching started in the 1700’s and now there are many different sign languages all over the world like British Sign Language (BSL) and American Sign Language (ASL) and of course Australian Sign Language (Auslan).

In the 1970’s in the UK, Margaret Walker discovered that patients with an intellectual disability could communicate better using signs alongside spoken language, she also noted this raised their confidence, self esteem and reduced frustration and anger.

From this Makaton was formed, Makaton uses signs alongside spoken language as a communication aid. Makaton was soon adopted in Australia but has more recently become Key Word Sign Australia and uses Australian Sign language (Auslan) as it was considered culturally and ecologically more appropriate for the Australian public. Please note we are not affliated with Key Word Sign Australia.

In the 1980’s, following research it was discovered that Key Word Sign proved hugely beneficial with pre-speaking babies to communicate but also learn to communicate thus Baby Signing grew in popularity especially in the U.K. and U.S. Click here to learn more about Baby Signing.

Key Word Signing was being used for those with disabilities and for those pre-speaking babies BUT the research shows great benefits for ALL children. Not only the benefits to themselves enhancing their language and literacy development, emotional development and fine motor skills but also those around them enhancing their social skills and giving them the ability to communicate with those that had communication barriers. This in turn increasing the communication partner network for all vital for social and emotional wellbeing of children especially those with communication difficulties.

Sunshine Sign and Sing was therefore born, with its aim to bridge the gap between children with communication difficulties, pre speaking children (including babies) and speaking children that would all benefit from using Key Word Sign. Sunshine Sign and Sing does this by providing training for parents and professionals working with children (tailored to individual professions such as Early Learning Services, Music Therapists and Physiotherapists) and with our fun, bright, engaging resources.

Our mission is to make Key Word Sign mainstream and accessible to all as early as possible.

Show less

“Wherever there are children there is Children’s Key Word Sign“
Mission of Sunshine Sign and Sing

What are the Differences Between Auslan and Key Word Sign?

Auslan	Children’s Key Word Sign
Language	Communication Tool
Does not follow spoken language(own grammar / structure)	Follows structure of spoken language
Respectful to have voice off	Essential to speak when signing to encourage spoken language
Deaf Culture	No culture associated with KWS
Mainly used by Deaf , Hard of Hearing and children of Deaf parents	For all children that are pre-speaking or have communication difficulties

differences – Auslan and key word sign

Key Word Sign (KWS) borrows signs from Australian sign language (Auslan).

However, it is important to note that it is NOT Auslan and there are significant differences.

As the table sets about above there are a number of differences between Auslan and Children’s Key Word Sign (CKWS). If your child is Deaf or Hard of Hearing please ensure that you contact Deaf Children Australia, DeafNav or Aussie Deaf Kids.

The main differences between Auslan and CKWS are that:

Auslan is recognised by The Australian Government as a language, CKWS is a communication tool only and is not a full language. It is an aid for children to use to assist their receptive understanding and to be used expressively as a tool to be understood while they are non speaking.

Auslan does not follow the same grammar or structure of spoken language, it is a visual language and it is less fixed to a word order that the Australian spoken language. CKWS requires that the communication partner always speaks at the same as signing as we are encouraging spoken language (regardless of whether children reach this goal or not), with only the key words being signed.

Auslan has an associated Deaf Community and Deaf culture associated with it. DeafNav states, “The Deaf community in Australia is a diverse cultural and linguistic minority group with many distinctive characteristics including language, values and behaviours.” To learn more about Deaf culture please visit DeafNav, Deaf Children Australia or Aussie Deaf Kids. As CKWS is a communication tool only it does not have a CKWS Community or CKWS culture associated with it.

When using Auslan it is respectful to have your voice off, it can be seen as disrespectful and offensive to speak at the same time as signing. One of the reasons for this is that many Auslan users can lip read, therefore speaking at the same time as signing can be confusing for the Auslan user as they are unsure of where to focus, your lips or the signs.

Auslan is mainly used by the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and children of Deaf adults, whereas Key Word Sign is mainly used by people that have communication difficulties. CKWS was created by Sunshine Sign and Sing to bridge the gap between baby sign and Key Word Sign, to encourage all pre speaking children and their peers to use CKWS as a form of communication due to the numerous researched benefits.

Show less

Who is Key Word Sign for?

Makaton, from which Key Word Sign (KWS) evolved, was originally developed for those with disabilities.

However, it’s benefits for others as a communication aid, particularly children, are widely known.

Further a number of other benefits have been discovered from the use of sign, including learning of the alphabet, literacy, learning a second language and learning mathematical concepts.

In the U.K. and U.S. simplified signing is popular among many baby groups and likewise many Early Learning Services have also found the benefits of using this simple and effective tool.

At Sunshine Sign and Sing we believe that more children could benefit from Key Word sSgn (KWS) being used across Australia.

Pre-verbal infants, toddlers, Neurodiverse children, children with English as a second language, children with anxiety and neurotypical children can all benefit from this amazing communication tool.

Further, this inclusive tool ensures that even if you or your family do not have communication difficulties you will be able to communicate with those that may require KWS as their main form of communication.

Sunshine Sign and Sing has made it our mission to normalise the use of signing for all children by providing access to this inclusive communication tool with fun, simple resources and professional development for educators, occupational therapists, music therapists and many other professions that work with children. For more information about our professional development opportunities please contact us.

Why Should Key Word Sign Be Used With Children?

Hopefully by now you are like us and already excited by the prospect of children communicating more effectively but just to make sure here are some more benefits.

With babies & toddlers, learning key word sign (KWS) can help learn spoken language quicker and easier.

It helps to:

slow speech, making it easier for the child to pick out individual words
helps to match the word to the object
increase bonding between carer and child
release oxytocin – the bodies natural ‘happy drug’
reduce frustration and meltdowns
increase self esteem and confidence
encourage imitation and comprehension as the sign can be held
give a broader ability to communicate as it uses vocal and visual tools

For benefits in an Early Learning Setting please click here to visit our Early Learning page which goes through the extensive research of key word sign and baby sign.

With older children it can help:

emotion regulation
organising their thoughts
being able to orate what they want to say
overcoming physical communication barriers
overcoming mental communication barriers
feeling included, understood and listened to
validating their point of view, needs, wants and wishes
assist with mental rotation
assist with learning of the alphabet and spelling
learn mathematical Concepts
learn a Second Language

When Should I Start Using Key Word Sign?

You can start now! Whether you are a new parent, your child has had a recent diagnosis, an Educator or other Professional, or you have only just heard about key word sign we recommend you start as soon as possible.

The research has shown there are no negatives to signing with your child and as well as a fantastic communication tool it is great for bonding too WIN WIN!

We have a number of free online resources, or you could head to our shop to buy some resources for your home.

If you want to discuss what else we can offer you please contact us today.

How Do I Start To Use Signing With Children?

How to sign

In signing you lead with your dominant hand, it is like your pen and your non-dominant hand is your paper.

The characters on our website and products are right handed, so check which hand is performing what action. If you are still struggling with working out how to do the sign break it down to it’s components often known by the acronym HOLME:

Hand shape
Orientation
Location
Movement
Expression

For more information on HOLME please click here.

How to Introduce the Signs

Start with a few simple signs, ones that are exciting to the child, like milk for a baby or a family pet. Incorporate it into play, which the best way a child can learn.

Use signing alongside music, nursery rhymes are simple and repetitive, this creates a perfect setting for learning signs and can add extra fun and understanding to a song. Please see our free resources or nursery rhyme book for recommended songs.

Initially, you may start with just one or two signed word per sentence, for example:

“Let’s go see the cow in the field,”

you may only initially sign “see” and “cow”

However, as the child’s comprehension of signs increases you may sign “go”, “see”, “cow” and “field”.

Use key word sign (KWS) books and flashcards to incorporate it into your every day. The best way for you to get the most out of this amazing communication tool is to make it part of your life, get into a good routine of using it and you will find it not only easy but life changing.

When your Child Signs

When your child starts to sign back don’t worry about the accuracy of the signs. The limited dexterity and fine motor skills of a young child will mean their first signs are unlikely to be accurate, the main thing is that you and your child’s communication partners know what the signs mean.

Accuracy can be worked upon in the future if Key Word Sign becomes a long term communication tool.

If you have started signing with your baby, their hand dominance doesn’t start to show until they are around 2 so before then they will mix it up and use whichever feels more comfortable at the time. So please don’t worry about what hand they are using, the main goal is for your child to communicate and be understood.

We are passionate about child communication and communication in general. Please contact us for any further information or questions.

Click here for: Why should your Early Learning Service use Key Word Sign?

Visit our SHOP for children’s signing resources

References

https://www.deafblindinformation.org.au/living-with-deafblindness/deafblind-communication/key-word-sign/ [accessed 2 July 2021]

History – The Makaton Charity [accessed 08 July 2021]

Key Word Sign and autism | Raising Children Network [accessed 08 July 2021]

https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/SPAweb/Members/Clinical_Guidelines/spaweb/Members/Clinical_Guidelines/Clinical_Guidelines.aspx?hkey=f66634e4-825a-4f1a-910d-644553f59140 – clinic guidelines – Augumentative and Alternative Communication – page 10

Millar DC, Light JC, Schlosser RW. The impact of augmentative and alternative communication intervention on the speech production of individuals with developmental disabilities: a research review. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2006 Apr;49(2):248-64. doi: 10.1044/1092-4388(2006/021). PMID: 16671842. [accessed 5 July 2021]. Previously seen in Dr Leigha Dark presentation “Key Word Sign Australia Presenter Traning 2016 Issues in Research”

Dimitrova N, Özçalışkan Ş, Adamson LB. Parents’ Translations of Child Gesture Facilitate Word Learning in Children with Autism, Down Syndrome and Typical Development. J Autism Dev Disord. 2016 Jan;46(1):221-231. doi: 10.1007/s10803-015-2566-7. Erratum in: J Autism Dev Disord. 2018 Feb;48(2):637. PMID: 26362150; PMCID: PMC4762014. [accessed 5 July 2021]

Sign language – Auslan – Better Health Channel [accessed 8 July 2021]

Broadley, Macdonald and Buckley 1995, Remington & Clarke 1996, Schweigert & Rowland 1998, Miller et al

https://kwsa.com.au/what-is-kws/ [accessed 5 July 2021]

https://www.scopeaust.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/The-Story-of-Key-Word-Sign-in-Australia.pdf [accessed 5 July 2021]

https://kwsa.com.au/what-is-kws/ [accessed 5 July 2021]

Broadley, Macdonald and Buckley 1995, Remington & Clarke 1996, Schweigert & Rowland 1998, Miller et al

Babysignstoo.com (2019). Language Development. [Online] Available at: https://babysignstoo.com/information/benefits (Accessed: 30 August 2019).

Corballis, M.C. (2002). From hand to mouth: The origins of language. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Daneils, M. (2009). The effect of sign language on hearing children’s language development. Communication Education, 43:4. p.291-298.

Doherty-Sneddon, G. (2008) The great Baby Signing Debate. [Online] Available at: http://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-21/edition-4/great-baby-signing-debate (Accessed 30 August 2019).

Moore, B., Acredolo, L.P. & Goodwyn, S.W. (2001). Symbolic gesturing and joint attention. Paper presented at the Biennial Meetings of the Society for Research In Child Development, Minneapolis, MN.

Philips, M., L. (2002). Sign Language and the Brain. Available at: https://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/sign.html (Accessed 30 August 2019).

Vygotsky, L.S. (1978). Mind in society. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.