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.

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, by using signing we are simply expanding on these gestures and giving them more purpose.

The History of Manual Signing and 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 1900’s Professor Whitney noted that children of deaf parents communicated a lot sooner than those of hearing parents through signing.

In the 1970’s in the UK, Margaret Walker discovered that patients with a mental 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.

In 2019, the founders of Sunshine Sign and Sing, became aware that key word sign was very much being targeted at children with communication difficulties only, and the more general benefits to the neurotypical population were being ignored (for both pre speaking and speaking children). Further, without aiming key word sign at this population its meant that the number of communication partners for children that use key word sign for communication was very limited.

Therefore Sunshine Sign and Sing was born, with it’s aim to bridge the gap between children with communication difficulties, pre speaking children and speaking children that would benefit from key word sign while also being able to communicate with others that use it for communication. Due to the benefits to all populations it is our mission that key word sign becomes mainstream, and is introduced to all children for an early age.

What are the Differences Between Auslan and Key Word Sign?

Key word sign (KWS) borrows its’ signs from Australian sign language (Auslan).

However, unlike Auslan, key word signing uses speech when signed. In key word sign signing is simplified, with sentences being spoken and only the key words of the sentence being signed. Unlike Auslan, key word sign keeps the same structure as spoken English.

As Auslan has its own grammar and structure it is respectful to ‘lock your voice’ or ‘turn off your voice’ as otherwise it can it difficult for signs to be understood. While in key word sign it is essential you speak at the same time as we are trying to encourage both sign and spoken words to be used for communication.

Key word signing was formed to assist those with communication difficulties, it can also be used for hearing babies and toddlers to communicate pre-verbally and when they are learning to speak.

Auslan is the language of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, it is a visual language and has its own structure, grammar and Deaf culture associated with it.

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.

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 sign (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

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

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

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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

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

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