• When I Meet a Blind Person

• Communicating with Deaf Children

• White Canes

• For the Deaf Persons

• Ten Commandments

• Interacting with People with Disabilities

• Over There -- By, Cathy Anne Murtha

• The Blind Leading the Blind By J. D. Crabbs

• Jokes

• Christian Events

• Support Groups

COMMUNICATING WITH YOUNG DEAF CHILDREN "Rules of Talking"

ATTENDING:

·        Get down on the child’s level

·        Let face and voice say "It’s fun"

·        Let the child actively participate

·        Talk about the interests of the child

WHAT TO TALK ABOUT:

·        Talk about the "here and now"

·        Talk about the obvious first

·        Use the language that child wants, but does not know

·        Put the child’s feelings into words

HOW TO TALK TO A CHILD WHO DOES NOT HAVE MUCH

 LANGUAGE:

·        Use the name for everything

·        Use short, simple sentences

·        If you use single words, put them back into a sentence

·        Use natural gestures for clarity

·        Use repetition

·        Give the child an opportunity to show that he understands

·        Expand the child’s language by adding more sentences related to the activity

HELP USE OF VOICE:

·        Imitate child’s repeated movements and add voice to the movements

·        Vary the sounds that you use

·        Give the child the opportunity to use his/her voice

·        Imitate child’s sound

·        Encourage use of voice with or without sign

·        When held close a deaf child can feel shifting from loud to soft intensity, high to low pitch. In time child will incorporate variations into own vocalizations

HOW TO TALK WHEN CHILD BEGINS TO USE WORDS:

·        Reward child’s attempts at word (signed and/or vocalized)

·        Repeat the word, place it into sentence

·        When child uses telegraphic language (multiword sentences not yet in adult grammar) Put into complete sentence

·        Expand vocabulary by adding new words

·        Expand original idea by adding related thoughts in complete sentences

·        When using English incorrectly, model correct form, without saying "No, that’s wrong"

·        Expose child to new sentence forms

Many children who learn language later are often frustrated by their own inability to communicate freely. Try to make communication as free as possible for the child. Discus things that are important to the child - friends, hobbies, school, problems, etc. Let the child do as much of the talking as possible so that you can learn what is of interest to him/her. The child will then pay attention to your language. The language patterns that you use will make more sense and be remembered better if the child has an understanding and interest in your words.

For additional information contact:

OUTREACH PROGRQAM

Ohio School for the Deaf

500 Morse Road

Columbu5, OH

43214-1899

(614) 728-6100 V/TTY

Back to Top

Contact Information

Phone#: 614-538-0988