Try storytelling in sign language during National Storytelling Week New colouful story based book helps pupils and teachers actively participate in the joy of learning through sign language.

Many parents will be looking for new ways to participate in National Storytelling
Week which runs from 31st January to 7th February, to try and give a new
twist to story time at home.

Now, they can create a story that combines elements from another language, not a spoken language, but one that uses the hands, body and facial expressions
to add interest, emotion and expression to the story, at the same time
changing the children from being passive listeners to active participants.
Sign Language!

Using sign language to sign the keywords in the text of a story can transform
an ordinary story session into an exciting, interactive experience that
stimulates the children’s interest in both the story and the signs being
used together with raising their awareness in alternative forms of communication.

The new Learn to Sign with Olli book, written by Garry Slack, offers an original approach to learning sign language as it doesn’t just reply on photographs and descriptions of the signs. Instead, the signs used in the book have been specially selected to be relevant to teachers and pupils and once learnt, are then woven into a series of stories, with text appearing in a different colour when corresponding with a sign already learnt. The signs featured in the books are all sourced directly from British Sign Language. The characters of Olli, the little monkey, and his family and friends, are used throughout the book to teach signs and help parents and children remember them.

The book costs just £12.99 plus postage and is available to order online at www.signwitholli.com.