TAKK i praktiken - Ur ett barn och pedagog perspektiv

Sammanfattning: What follows is a qualitative study in which interviews, participant observation and group sessions with children form the base of the empirical material. The purpose of the study is to examine different perspectives regarding TAKK (Signs as an Alternative and Augmentative Communication), which is a form of sign language used for the hearing, where preschool teachers’, preschool principals’ as well as children’s thoughts about the method are considered. We examine why TAKK is used, how it is practiced and how it is considered to be beneficial to a child’s language development. We also examine if there is any negative aspects with the method. Earlier research has discussed TAKK from a special needs educational perspective and it has therefore been used primarily for this purpose. Today it is used by preschools as a complement to spoken language as well as a method for language development. This study indicates that TAKK is considered to be beneficial as it includes all children despite linguistic barriers and it is used as a complement to spoken language for, amongst others, bilingual children. TAKK is regarded as motorically easier to handle than verbal communication. It is also considered to install a sense of community within the group of children, with TAKK they can all communicate with each other.