by Alisabeth Hopper | Nov 30, 2016 | Resources
Hello again,
This week in our sign language video we’ll learn and sign the song “You Are My Sunshine”. I chose this song because it is a “back-pocket” song that almost everybody knows and shares, so why not have back-pocket signs for your back-pocket songs? This particular application of sign language in music therapy can be used to work toward goals such as…
- Increasing upper body strength and sustaining body weight
- Improving fine motor manipulation
- Increasing expression
Many sign language songs can be used to work toward the same goals as well!
At the beginning of the video I also discussed why I don’t call our video ASL & Music, and the short answer is… because what I am doing is not ASL.
ASL is a language in and of itself. It has specific sentence structure which does not usually align with the english language. And because my clients goals are often focused around increasing speech and vocalization in the english language I want to use signs in that way that is simple, functional, and aligns with the structure of their spoken language.
If you have any questions or ideas for future sign language videos email me at alisabeth@musictherapyconnections.org.
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Nov 15, 2016 | Resources, Videos
I’m sure you all have your favorite fall season songs. This fall season mine have tended to use focus words like thank you, you’re welcome, tree, leaves, and of course, Thanksgiving! Those are the signs that you can find in the video this week!
I will often teach a sign by choosing a standout word in a given song, learning the simple sign, and teaching it throughout our musical intervention. We will repeat these songs every week on an ongoing basis. By the end of our treatment period most of our clients and students have learned this sign and can use it as a form of communication and self-expression entirely independently!
I hope you all enjoy todays video as much as I have! Stay tuned for next week’s video before the holidays!
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Nov 8, 2016 | Tips & Tricks, Videos
Sign language can be a very effective tool in therapeutic environments if we can find a way to use it seamlessly. I have found that the best way to become comfortable with sign language is to learn the sign language ABC’s. The letters signed throughout the alphabet are the same letters that are used as building blocks for more complicated signs. For instance, many of the color signs are based off of the signed first letter of each word. Therefore, yellow would be a “y” shape with a twist at the wrist to denote the color.
In this week’s video I display all of the ABC signs and also quickly cover some of the more confusing signs as well. I hope you all enjoy and tune in next week!
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Nov 1, 2016 | Materials & Supplies, Resources, Tips & Tricks
Thank you for joining me again for our sign language series! This week we are learning our season signs. These four signs are a great tool to have in your back pocket. I am continually working to build awareness of environment and time in the therapeutic environment. One major way we can do that is by working to help all students to be able to correctly identify the seasons, weather, date, and so on.
When a student can understand the varying seasons that brings us one step closer to a greater understanding of how to care for oneself at the most independent level.
I hope you enjoy this week’s video and enjoy our bonus sign for Halloween!
-AH
by Alisabeth Hopper | Oct 24, 2016 | Resources, Videos
Hello Readers & Friends,
We have just posted our second video in our sign language series. Have I mentioned yet how incredibly excited I am? I love using color signs as a music therapist. There are so many therapeutic applications for sign language not only as a tool, but as an additional means of communication. That being said I use my color signs regularly.
I will use them to reinforce colors with some of my clients who are nonverbal, or minimally verbal. But I also use them with clients who are very verbal and working on academic skills. Using sign language makes your academic experience multi sensory which can be very helpful for people of all ages and abilities to learn and grow.
Check out this week’s video and let me know what you think! Also, do you have an idea for a sign language topic? Let me know in the comments!
Have a wonderful week.
-AH
