‘We are so excited to share this with you!’ Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins stars in a new sign language series
Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins has launched a new series for hearing impaired children.
The first video of Emma’s Sign Language Time, shared on The Wiggles YouTube channel on Wednesday, comes as many parents are opting to keep their children at home amid the coronavirus pandemic.
A post shared on the children’s entertainment group’s Instagram said: ‘We are so excited to share this new YouTube series with you!’
‘We are so excited to share this with you!’ Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins (right) stars in a new sign language series which was launched on YouTube on Wednesday
‘Get ready to enjoy your favourite wiggly songs translated in Auslan. That is Australian sign language!’
The caption also noted that the The Deaf Society NSW and Deaf Services was consulted for the Auslan translation.
Fans of the group were treated to their classic song Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car as Emma and other children signed the song.
It’s sign time! A post shared on the children’s entertainment group’s Instagram said: ‘Get ready to enjoy your favourite wiggly songs translated in Auslan. That is Australian sign language!’
Last year Emma told 9Honey that the hearing community in Australia needed to do more to support the deaf community.
‘Our deaf community in Australia is not as supported as it should be,’ she said.
‘Us as the hearing world aren’t even making any effort to try and help this community and build some bridges, that’s why it’s so important for schools to be teaching children even just the alphabet,’ she added.
Emma added that it was important for Auslan to be taught at school to bridge the gap between the deaf community and the wider society.
Building bridges: Last year Emma told 9Honey that the hearing community in Australia needed to do more to support the deaf community. ‘Us as the hearing world aren’t even making any effort to try and help this community and build some bridges,’ she said
‘That’s not a sense that they’re relying on, so if they’re in a school without any assistance they’re always just trying to catch up,’ she said.
It comes as the number of coronavirus cases in Australia continues to escalate.
As of late Thursday, there are 2,275 confirmed cases in the country, including 12 deaths.
Pandemic: The number of coronavirus cases in Australia continues to grow. As of late Thursday, there are 2,275 confirmed cases in the country, including 12 deaths