Nursery World Awards 2010: Resources - Birth to Threes - Tried and Tested Favourite

Introducing babies to simple signs can enable them to communicate their emotions and their needs. This can reduce their frustration and also aid language development.

These four books have eye-catching, colourful illustrations and clear signing instructions to accompany four well-known nursery rhymes. They encourage practitioners and children to sing and sign together, covering the communication, language and literacy area of the Early Years Foundation Stage. By enabling children to start communicating with others, these books also help them to develop their confidence and build essential social skills.

Patricia Paton, owner and manager of Little Beaver Day Nursery in Glossop, Derbyshire, finds the books easy to follow, especially as the children are already familiar with the nursery rhymes. She adds, 'The children were really focused and practised the signs they learned for the rest of the afternoon.'

Lynn Kennington, head of Gamesley Early Excellence Centre in Glossop, Derbyshire, says, 'It is a good idea to incorporate simple sign language in a first book which teaches staff and parents as well as children. We like the fact that they are board books, that they are simple, the illustrations are colourful and they are attractive to children. We will find them very useful and some of the staff who are trained in Makaton related to them straight away.'

CRITERION

Open to early years resources and equipment that supports children's learning, development and enjoyment in the EYFS.