Every Child Deserves to Be Seen, Heard and Understood
BSL Storybooks That Support Learning, Language & Inclusion
Whether you’re teaching a child who’s struggling to speak or hear, introducing BSL to meet EYFS goals – or simply want to give every little learner the tools to thrive – our sign language storybooks offer a powerful bridge to confident communication, classroom connection, and closing the attainment gap.
Signing Benefits - At a Glance
Interactive Storytelling
Storytime with BSL brings language to life – helping children absorb vocabulary, strengthen recall, and build a solid foundation for literacy and independent learning.
Inclusive Class Communication
Designed for all learning styles and needs, our books ensure that every child feels supported, connected, and included.
Literacy and Language Growth
Sign language supports early word learning, comprehension, and expression, with strong links to EYFS and curriculum outcomes.
Closing the Attainment Gap
Supporting those who need extra help without singling them out. Signing gives children confidence, connection – and a fairer start.
Language Delays Are Rising — But So Is Hope
Why Signing Belongs in Every Setting + Classroom
More and more children are arriving in settings and classrooms without the words they need – struggling to ask for help, make friends, or share how they feel. Signing creates an accessible bridge that meets them exactly where they are.
Speech and language delays are at record highs.
The pandemic stole time for play, for connection, for talking.
And every missed moment for early intervention builds frustration – for children and for the dedicated staff who care for them.
You’re expected to close attainment gaps, meet curriculum targets, support wellbeing, manage behaviour… and still somehow make it magical.
You do it all with love.
But it’s a lot.
And this is where signing comes in.
Using British Sign Language alongside spoken words is a research-backed way to boost communication, reduce frustration, and make language stick. It taps into the gestures children (and grown-ups!) naturally use and helps support all children with language learning – not just those with identified SEND, late talking or EAL needs.
Signing is easy to layer in to all interactions, quick to learn and designed to support your work – in ways you didn’t know were possible.
You just need your hands – and a little bit of know-how.
Signing will reduce the time you spend on managing behaviour or trying to understand what children need, want or would like to share with you. Easier, calmer, more connected settings and classrooms is what we all want.
British Sign Language is, as of November 2024, specifically included in the EYFS for recording Early Learning Goals. Our stories give you the tools to get started simply, without any prior knowledge, and with visible impact from day one.
Rising Speech Delays
Practitioner Barriers
Emotional Impact
Educational Benefits
From Optional to essential
BSL and the EYFS; a Turning Point for Learning.
As of November 2024, early years practitioners can now use British Sign Language (BSL) to evidence progress in the Early Learning Goals for:
-
Communication
-
Language
-
Literacy
This is a quiet, but important revolution.
BSL is no longer “something extra” in the curriculum.
It’s now an officially and specifically recognised language for demonstrating learning and development outcomes, and achievements, for children who may not hear or who do not – yet – have confidence with their speech to show their understanding.
This gives you more flexibility, a more inclusive practice, and more ways to reach the children who need it most.
And with our storybooks, songs, and signs, weaving BSL into your daily practice becomes simple – and full of immediate, visible impact.
Signing in Settings + Classrooms - Key Points
The Research Shows...
Children who learn with signing in early childhood can be up to 12 IQ points ahead of their peers by age 8* – showing improved language, literacy, working memory, and emotional regulation.
Signing isn’t just for now. It’s a lifelong head start.
* Acredolo and Goodwyn; Impact of Symbolic Gesturing on Early Language Development
Late Talkers | Speech Delay
1 in 5 children start school with delayed speech and language. This affects behaviour, confidence, and learning – especially in group settings.
Signing gives them a visual bridge to understanding and expression, easing frustration, supporting speech development and boosting vocabulary over time.
Glue Ear | A Hidden Barrier to Learning
8 out of 10 children under the age of 10 will experience glue ear (otitis media), often causing temporary hearing loss.
Eight. Out. Of. Ten.
That means in every classroom, every nursery, every setting – there are children who, right now, can’t hear properly during one of the most critical windows for language and communication development.
English as an Additional Language | Multi-Lingual Families
Adding sign language helps children learn all languages better. It’s a bridge to accelerated learing and not a barrier.
The research shows that when children use signing alongside spoken words, it boosts vocabulary, memory, and comprehension across every language that they’re learning.
For EAL and multi-lingual learners, signing offers clarity, consistency and confidence – right when they need it most.
But... We Use Makaton
Great news – if you’re already using Makaton, then you’re already usd to using your hands to help with early years communication!
Our books help you build on what you know and encourage use of signing across the whole setting. Makaton is based on BSL, so it’s a smooth shift to BSL, with a richer vocabulary, cultural recognition, and the ability to meet EYFS goals.
Stories That Speak to Every Child
Books That Make Language Learning Easy
You don’t need to be fluent in British Sign Language to make an impact.
You just need the right place to start.
Our Rhyme and Sign storybooks use keyword British Sign Language, paired with English, to help children remember language through movement, memory and emotion. They’re built for busy early years settings and classrooms, and for quick, lasting, wins with communication development.
No training needed, no added pressure.
Signing makes language visible. And because signs tend to be just so right in what they depict, children understand them immediately.
It strengthens comprehension, reduces behaviour struggles, and helps every child feel included – especially those who learn differently, or who are still finding their voice.
It’s not extra work. It’s a smarter way to make language learning accessible and literacy fun, for everyone.
You Don’t Need to Be Fluent - You Just Need a Place to Start
Signing is a versatile tool that fits seamlessly into daily routines. Designed for educators without prior BSL knowledge, our resources use keyword BSL, modeled through repetition and relatable storylines. They are easy to incorporate into circle time, transitions, and story sessions, promoting joint learning between adults and children. Suitable for all ages and abilities, our approach encourages inclusive communication and development.
Recognised by Educators. Loved by Children.
Our award-winning resources have made a significant impact in early years education.
Endorsed by professionals and cherished by children, they have been recognised for reducing behavioral issues and enhancing vocabulary growth.
Supporting Early Communication & Inclusion
Bring signing to your classroom – easily! – with our specially designed packs for educational settings. We offer options for bulk orders and ideas for workshops or training sessions.
Download our comprehensive PDF guide to get started and explore how signing can transform your teaching environment.
Your Signing Questions
You’re already doing the work – supporting little ones with love, skill, and deep care. But with time short and needs rising, you need strategies that slot into your day and actually make things easier.
Here are the most common questions we get from early years professionals just like you, and how signing with our award winning Rhyme & Sign storybooks helps solve them.
Signing Donkey | inclusive interactions which embed language learning through kinaesthetic movements, enhance motor skills and enable visual or less confident learners to join in.
Why Sign? BSL, the Early Years and Starting School
Because it works, for every child.
Using British Sign Language supports all children’s communication, not just those with identified needs. It gives a visual and kinaesthetic bridge to language, which is especially helpful for:
- Pre-verbal or non-verbal children
- EAL learners
- Children with delayed speech or language difficulties
Signing also:
- Reduces frustration and supports emotional regulation
- Builds vocabulary, memory and story comprehension
- Boosts fine motor skills (great for writing and independence)
- Creates inclusive, connected classrooms for children who don’t hear or can’t speak
Do I Need To Be Trained To Use BSL In My Setting Or Classroom?
You don’t need to be fluent, just confident to start.
And it helps little ones to see that you’re learning something new, too!
Our storybooks:
-
Use accurate British Sign Language keyword signs, from Early Years BSL author, Cath Smith
-
Repeat key signs in context-rich, rhyming storylines
-
Are designed for non-specialists, so you learn alongside the children
-
Make it easy to use signs in everyday routines
No overwhelm. Just practical support that fits your day.
How Does Signing Support the EYFS / Curriculum?
In more ways than one, and now officially recognised.
Signing supports core EYFS areas, including:
-
Communication and Language (attention, understanding, speaking)
-
PSED (expressing needs, understanding feelings, building relationships)
-
Physical Development (coordination and control through movement)
-
Literacy (story structure, vocabulary, storytelling confidence)
And with the EYFS 2024 update, BSL can now be used to evidence ELGs – particularly in Communication & Language, Literacy, and Understanding the World.
This is a huge step forward.
Will Children Still Learn To Speak?
Yes! In fact, research shows that adding signing to the pre-school / school curriculum is one of the most important things you can do to support Speech, Language and Communication development.
It gives children a developmentally appropriate way in to language when words are hard to access. Many children begin to speak sooner when they have signing as a bridge.
It’s not a replacement for talking, for most children. But for some children signing will be their primary form of commuication and it makes sense that everyone around them can sign too.
Isn't This Just One More Thing To Do?
No, although it might seem like it right now.
Signing is a tool that makes your job easier.
Our Rhyme & Sign books are designed to work with what you’re already doing:
-
Use them in storytime, circle time or 121 interventions
-
Reinforce signs during everyday routines (snack, tidy-up, transitions)
-
Link signs to your topical learning themes (like emotions, animals, weather, transport)
-
Share consistent language strategies across the team
It’s low-lift, high-impact – with visible results in communication, engagement, and connection from Day One.
BSL Storybooks for Settings + Classrooms
Our signed stories are more than just books; they have been developed by experts to support early language and literacy development. They are loved by children of all ages and, like all truly valuable resources, the learning outcomes are hidden in plain sight.
By integrating signs with stories, children can remember vocabulary more effectively.
Signing encourages emotional expression, allowing children to communicate feelings even before they can articulate them verbally.
Additionally, the physical act of signing enhances fine motor skills, preparing children for tasks like writing and dressing.
Our inclusive approach helps with empathy and belonging, creating classrooms where every child feels valued.
