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Chapter 3
Guidelines for
teaching language
A child who is deaf or cannot hear well learns to communicate by seeing.
He will not learn words like others do, just by listening to people talk. He
needs a longer time and more help to learn a language — whether by
watching and listening to people talk, or by seeing them sign. He may start
earlier than other children to pay attention to written words. When he sees
written words, such as his own name, he can make the connection between
a word and its meaning.
The guidelines in this chapter can make it easier for parents and others
to teach children how to use a language. Try using these guidelines while
working on the activities in this book.
Communicate as much as you can
Helping deaf children learn a language is the most important thing
that parents and others can do. Even if people generally do not talk to
children as they do their work, your child needs everyone to make extra
efforts to speak to her. Communication is the only way she will learn.
Sometimes parents may feel ashamed
of a child who cannot hear well.
Or the child may be protected too
much. But a child needs to take
part in her family’s activities.
Being left alone will stop her from
Are you coming
to the market
today?
learning many things.
Yes. Ashaki and
I will bring some
cassava and
mangoes.
Throughout the day, look for
opportunities to communicate with
your child. Include her in activities
with other people, so she gets used
to seeing and hearing different
people communicate. Encourage
the whole family — brothers, sisters,
grandparents, and other relatives —
to do this too.
A child needs to take part
in her family’s activities.