Written/Designed/Layout  Aileen Ryan

The "Sing & Sign With Me" book aims to highlight the pleasure and beauty of combining sign language with songs in a simple to follow format. It is fun and easy to learn with no previous experience necessary.

The 'Sing & Sign With Me' book was written after many years of teaching 'sing & sign' workshops. Aileen felt it would make learning easier if people had the books to refer to. This also meant that people not able to attend one of Aileen's workshops could still learn and enjoy the whole idea of signing and using sign language at the same time.

This beautifully designed book contains 26 songs and nursery rhymes used in early childhood settings.

• Each of the songs is accompanied with the melody and signs. Please note that for a couple of nursery rhymes I was unable to locate a copy of a particular melody
• With each song the opposite page has a larger version of each sign together with easy to follow instructions on how to do each sign.

• There are times that Natural Gesture is used instead of a sign, as they are commonly used throughout Early Childhood settings already or
•  A written description is given on an action used because there is either no sign available or the gesture suggested is easier than the actual sign used.
•  In approx two instances a Signed English sign is used basically because there is no Auslan sign for the word and the Signed English version looks good in the song. These are destinctly pointed out so those not wishing to use Signed English may avoid if they choose.

"Sing & Sign With Me" would benefit all early childhood settings, from centres wanting to add actions to songs, centres with speech and/or developmentally delayed children, early intervention services, special needs and mainstream schools.

The majority of the signs selected for use in this publication are Auslan signs (as used by the deaf community) although they have been arranged in correct spoken order (Key word signing) purely to allow the song and actions to flow comfortably. 

Songs & Nursery Rhymes in the Book:

A music CD is currently in production that can be used with the 'Sing & Sign With Me' book. Each song will be done twice - first time with someone singing, second time music only. The music has been slowed down very slightly to make it easier for those singing and signing.