Ann Coffey

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MP samples "Sign & Shine" at Adswood Primary

13 November 2009

Stockport MP Ann Coffey was invited to Adswood Primary school to join in with their busy end-of-half-term activities, including a "Sign & Shine" session with local parents.

Adswood primary uses the Makaton sign language to help children when they first start learning to read. As well as other methods, sign language is used to teach the first 50 words which children need to get on the first rung of the reading ladder.

Since signing was added to other methods only six months ago, the children have made huge progress. Pupils who were having problems in learning to read have now made a breakthrough with the help of sign language, showing that every child can become a reader.

After the session, Ann was full of praise for the way sign language is used to help children learn to read.

Ann Coffey said:

"I was so impressed by the Sign and Shine session. The parents clearly enjoyed learning the sign language – it’s a valuable skill in itself. But in this school it has the added advantage of helping children learn to read, and of course parents are delighted they can now support their child’s reading at home."

Headteacher Kath Conwell said:

"We use the Makaton sign language in school all the time, in the songs we sing, for example. It’s very encouraging that so many parents have joined the Sign & Shine class to help their children at the start of their reading journey."