136 social skills
Help your child learn to make decisions
One of the most important things children need to learn is how to make
good decisions. If you or others tell a child what to do all the time, she
will not learn to make good decisions.
Being able to make good decisions
helps children become confident.
Being confident will help them
participate fully in the activities
Let’s see if Pu Yi understands
that she can choose either a
round bun or a long bun.
of their communities and help them
have better lives. Whenever you can,
encourage your child to make simple
choices about things that affect her.
For example, sometimes she can decide
what to eat or drink, what to wear,
when to sleep, or choose what to do.
If a deaf child wants to make a decision
but cannot tell you what she wants or
likes, try asking her questions to help
her communicate what she would like
to do.
Everyone can help deaf children develop
social skills
Children who are deaf can learn and practice their social skills best when
they are part of a caring community, and when they go to school. When
children interact and spend time in a social group outside the family,
they make a big leap in developing their social skills. Some communities
have child care centers or preschools, where groups of children can
play and learn together. The children understand that expectations are
different in a group setting. They learn to share, take turns, and think
about the feelings of others.
Help a deaf child learn about the world
It is important for children who are deaf or cannot hear well to
experience community events, take part in daily activities and discuss
these with their families and friends. Parents, sisters, and brothers can
help by taking a deaf child out as much as possible to public places and
to visit relatives and friends. You can use every chance to teach the child
how things work in the community.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)