84 choosing and learning a language
Learning to sign will also help your
child get to know other people who
are deaf. She will learn that deaf
people are an important part
of the community.
Mama, now you
can sign just like
me and Alfredo!
If there are deaf adults
in your community, ask
them to spend time
with your family and
to teach you all to
sign.
My name
is Esme.
Good! Now both of you
repeat after me...
If there are no deaf people in your area, try to contact your country’s
Association of the Deaf, or a school for deaf children. Try to get books to
help you learn to sign. If this is not possible, continue to use local signs
and gestures, and create more signs of your own.
The important thing is that
you communicate as much as
possible with your child. Most
of all, children need people to
love them, encourage them,
and give them direction. This
will help language become a
part of children’s lives.
Your child should know that
your love and approval do
not depend on his ability to
speak or sign.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)