guidelines for teaching language 31
Change activities to suit your child
The activities in this book can help your child learn to communicate. But
they are just examples of activities that can help a child learn. Watch
your child carefully to see what interests him and makes him want to
communicate — and also watch for what upsets him and makes him
want to stop. Then you can think of ways to adapt the activities in this
book so they will work better for your child and fit more easily into your
family’s daily activities.
You can also adapt these activities so they fit with your child’s abilities.
For example:
• If a child can hear some
speech sounds, help him
learn simple words by
giving them emphasis
and repeating them.
Then use the words often
throughout the day.
It is hot. Do you
want some water? I
want water too.
• If a child cannot hear speech sounds well,
teach everyone some signs
to use with him.
See Chapter 8 for
information about
teaching sign
language.
If you use this sign
for ‘ball’, Paulo
can understand
you.
• If your child can hear
some of the sounds
around her, everyone can
help her pay attention to
sounds by pointing them
out.
Did you hear?
Someone is at
the door.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)