82 choosing and learning a language
Use the language that works for your child
Your child needs to express himself and understand others. A child
needs to know more than to say ‘mama’ or ‘papa’. He needs to develop
the ability to listen, to understand what is said, and to respond and
communicate with others as easily fully as possible.
My
grandson
uses over
500 words
now!
Parents and caregivers can help a child
learn language in a way that makes it
possible for him to absorb it. If you find
that sign language does not work for your
child, think about helping him learn a
spoken language. Or if he does not seem to
understand spoken language, try to help him learn sign
language. Once children know and use one language well, it will be
easier for them to learn another language.
Talking to parents whose children have learned a language — a sign
language or a spoken language, or both — will help other parents who
are trying to teach their children a language.
My son who does
not hear at all
finds it easier to
communicate in
sign language.
But some deaf
children can learn
to understand
words and talk. My
child did.
Even if they cannot hear words, deaf children can still learn to use
written language. A child who is deaf learns how words look, rather than
how they might sound. They see the relationships
between symbols. (This is also how the written
Chinese language works.) Deaf children who
learn to use a language early — a spoken or
a signed language — can learn to read and
write well. It will help if they also meet deaf
adults who can read.
Sometimes deaf people do not learn to communicate when they
are children. Although it is much better for young children to
learn communication, older children and even adults can learn to
communicate. Chapters 8 and 9 describe methods you can use to teach a
language to children who are deaf or cannot hear well.
• To help a child learn a sign language, see Chapter 8.
• To help a child learn a spoken language, see Chapter 9.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)