Colourful Gestures Revolutionising Early Learning with 'Brown Bear' & Sign Language.

Carla Pahl
Apr 24
3 min read

Unlocking the Power of Colours and Sign Language in Early Learning

As an experienced educator of early years, I'm always striving to create experiences that invite joy, discovery, and meaningful connections between children and their caregivers. This approach beautifully comes to life when teaching colours, a vibrant and fun activity that can begin as early as you wish.

Carla Pahl Blog Post Teaching Toddlers Colours — Early Literacy Learning Colours

Visualising with "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?"

Using the engaging book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin, illustrated by Eric Carle, we immerse children in a world of colours. This timeless classic isn't just a book; it's a canvas where young minds can predict and visualise the sequence, enhancing their cognitive and language skills while sharing with their parents and caregivers as they master additional cognitive skills while engaging in meaningful communication and self-expression.

🔗Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I recommend these products based on their quality and relevance to today's topic of Early Literacy & Baby Sign Language

Reading with a child boosts literacy and cognitive development. — Literacy evolves when reading experiences are shared with toddlers

Emotional and Intellectual Development

Undertaking activities with the vibrant picture book “Brown Bear Brown Bear, What Do You See" for short, concentrated periods supports your toddler and encourages eventual school readiness by

Encouraging a child to follow simple and predictable instructions.
Encouraging gradual increase in vocabulary, with colour and animal recognition
Utilising a child’s senses to gain information about the world around them
Utilising role-play as a means to understand experiences and practice physical literacy
Encouraging an understanding of basic colour recognition, matching & ordering objects along with spatial awareness and relations
Encouraging simple choices for cognitive perception
Encouraging simple problem-solving skills which encourage a mastery of task to foster self-esteem.

If you haven't yet, I highly recommend picking up a copy because this interactive picture book not only delights children but also fosters bonding during reading time, strengthening a child’s foundational literacy skills

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This post contains affiliate links. I recommend these products based on their quality and relevance to today's topic of hand development. As an Amazon Associates earn from qualifying purchases.

Brown Bear Brown Bear Board Book

Teaching Sign Language allows pre verbal communication — Cognitive Development & Learning Sign Language

Engaging Through Flash Cards and Sign Language

To further engage toddlers, utilising large flash cards featuring the book's charming animals of various colours is a hands-on activity to support toddlers in anticipation and predictability, which are essential skills for cognitive development. Alongside verbal learning, introducing sign language has been a game-changer in early years communication.

Benefits of Sign Language

Enhanced Communication because sign language offers preverbal toddlers a way to express themselves before they can speak, reducing frustration and promoting independence.

Improved Language Development: Studies suggest that children exposed to sign language tend to develop advanced language skills.

Inclusive Learning, sign language supports diverse learning needs, making education accessible to all children.

🔗Disclosure:

This post contains affiliate links. I recommend these products based on their quality and relevance to today's topic of hand development. As an Amazon Associates earn from qualifying purchases.

Teach Your Baby Simple Signs

Global Differences in Sign Language

If you wish to teach your child sign language, it's important to recognise the differences between American Sign Language (ASL), British Sign Language (BSL), and Australian Sign Language (Auslan). Each has its unique syntax and grammar, and adapting these can enrich children's understanding of communication globally. I used ASL for my own four children (now adults) and in my Just Junior toddler classes in Hong Kong. I found ASL easy to implement with my own young children and those families I worked with. If you would like to consider using sign language as an additional language to teach your children consider what best suits your location.

Carla's Suggested Resources

🔗Affiliate Disclosure:

This post contains affiliate links. I recommend these products based on their quality and relevance to today's topic of hand development. As an Amazon Associates earn from qualifying purchases.