60 listening skills
As you do the activities in this chapter, look for signs that show the child
is listening to a sound. She might show she is listening by turning her
head, changing the look on her face, moving her
body, getting very still, blinking her eyes,
or making a
sound herself.
I wonder if Deepa
turned her head
because she heard
that can?
Praise her if she responds to sounds and words. If she does not respond,
repeat the sound if you can. Try moving the sound closer to her rather
than making it louder. Be patient. It takes time for a child to develop
listening skills.
As you practice listening, try to notice background noise. Even pleasant
background sounds might keep a child from hearing your voice or
picking out the one sound you want her to hear. If the child uses a
hearing aid, remember that hearing aids make your voice louder but
make other sounds louder too, including background noise.
Can you
hear me,
Azlina?
Ca...
mm..??
Azlina heard some of her father’s words. But because of the noise the
other children are making, she is not sure exactly what he said.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)