108 learning to use a spoken language
5. Use the same words over and over in the same situations. Repeating
them is necessary, and young children like it.
6. Speak clearly. Use careful, but not exaggerated, lip movements.
7. Make a short list of useful words you want your child to learn, and
ask everyone in the family to use them often. Choose words that are
easy to see on the lips.
Everybody should use the
same word for anything that
can have different names
—like ‘coat’ or ‘jacket’.
Put on
your coat.
Put on your
coat now.
When you are sure your child
understands the words you
have been using, teach more
words that look and sound
very different from the first few
words. As you teach your child
the new words, continue to
practice the old words.
Your child needs to know different kinds of words
In addition to learning the names of objects and people, your child
needs to learn many other kinds of words. This will help your child
learn more about the world around her and help prepare her to speak
in sentences later on. Be sure to practice all of the following:
• proper names
(the name given
to each person)
Nisa and Moshe
are here. Let’s
say hello to
them.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)