The faces are tense and cheerful in the class of Auris Florant primary school in Tilburg. The children watch a special Sinterklaas news on a large screen. Written and created for the children at this special school. The 170 students of Auris Florant have a language development disorder (DLD).
“The Sinterklaas news that is broadcast every day with Merel Westrik and Hoofdpiet goes much too fast for our children,” says team leader Elles Kuppens. “The storyline of the national Sinterklaas news is quite complicated and it is often very busy, with all kinds of Petes talking at the same time. We regularly had to explain things after watching.”
What is TOS?
With a language development disorder (DLD), the brain processes language less well. For example, a child or young person with DLD has difficulty speaking or understanding language. The consequences are different for everyone. For example, people with DLD may have difficulty remembering sounds and words or may find it difficult to plan or deal with emotions. (Source: Kentalis)
Florant’s special Sinterklaas news is its own production: two teachers write the script and take care of the recording and editing themselves. Students and colleagues play various roles, both in front of and behind the scenes.
What started three years ago as a small initiative to festively open the Sinterklaas theme has now grown into an annual tradition that the entire school and parents look forward to.
“They learn better by using gestures and repetition.”
Natalia is one of the children who watches the third episode of the news on the edge of her seat. People around her clap and shout when a pietje unexpectedly appears on screen. Children and teachers play the leading roles in the news. In this episode the search is on for a new Saint.
“Sinterklaas quit because he found a puzzle too difficult, and now we have to find a new Sinterklaas,” says Natalia. “Many teachers can audition to become the new Sinterklaas, but our teacher is the sweetest.”
Karan, who is in Natalia’s class, completely agrees: “Teacher Manja is simply the best.”
Teacher Renée Tops plays the role of Merel Westrik in the special Sinterklaas news. They use a simple storyline and they support everything that is said with gestures as much as possible. The speaking rate is also slow.
“This way, all our children can follow it well. Children with a language development disorder find it difficult to come up with words and learn new words. By using gestures and repetition, they learn better and can also make themselves understood better.”
At the end of this episode of the special Sinterklaas news, it turns out that the jury cannot choose who the best new Sinterklaas is after an audition, so the children can vote for the three remaining candidates.
“I’m sure that this problem will also end well and that we can all celebrate a wonderful Sinterklaas party with all the children on Friday,” Elles says reassuringly. “We enjoy making this news for our children so much that the script for next year is almost ready. To be continued.”
