Inspired by her children, who are now teachers of the deaf, with both attending mainstream nurseries and schools, Kathy Robinson has started an online petition calling on Education Secretary Michael Gove to introduce sign language into all early years settings.
At the time of going to press, the petition had more than 400 signatures.
Ms Robinson argues that the benefits of signing are far-reaching and that research shows that all children can benefit from it because it advances their language and literacy skills.
She also developed the Signs for Success programme, which has now been running for 15 years.
Through the programme, she has worked with 22 local authorities and has trained hundreds of early years practitioners and SENCOs who have found that signing benefits the early stages of language and literacy in young children, particularly from birth and up to six years old.
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