24 guidelines for teaching language
Many people can help do these activities
Though children need the care and love of both their parents, parents do
not have to be a child’s only teachers. Let friends, neighbors, and other
family members help. Get to know deaf people who use the local sign
language. It is especially important for the child who is deaf or cannot
hear well to have many people doing activities with him because:
• it will help him learn to communicate with many people including
other deaf people.
• he will learn to get along with different people.
• other people will learn how to interact with deaf people.
I don’t have much time to
help Mira since my husband
had to go away to work.
I have to take care of our
fields, as well as the house
and the children.
My neighbor’s eldest
daughter is helping our
son learn to speak every
afternoon. Maybe she
could teach Mira at the
same time.
That’s a good
idea! We are also
very busy, but
we showed my
mother-in-law
ways to help our
daughter.
Parents who have children that are deaf
or do not hear well can work together to
solve problems (see page 184).
Some people, sometimes even close family members, may not want to
spend time with deaf children. Other people, even if they want to help,
do not know how. You can help them learn about deafness and how
being deaf makes it more difficult for someone to learn a language. They
may become more comfortable if they know what to do.
Share what you have learned about hearing problems, the activities you
and your child are working on, and the reasons for doing these activities.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)