24-12
FINDING OUT WHICH CHILDREN HAVE
THESE PROBLEMS
Testing children’s hearing
This can be done as a game:
1. An older child stands
several meters from a
line of younger children.
2. Behind each young
child stands an older
child with pencil and
paper
3. The first
child calls
the name of
an animal.
VERY LOUDLY.
4. The
young
children
whisper
the word
to their
older
partners.
5. And
the older
children
write it down.
Testing the hearing of babies
What can children do to find out how well the
babies in their families can hear?
• They can make a
rattle from seeds or
small stones,
creep up and
shake it behind
the baby’s head,
and see if
the baby is
surprised.
• Or they can call out the baby’s name from
different places in the room, and see if the baby
responds.
If the baby is not surprised at the sudden noise,
or does not turn his head when his name is called,
he probably does not hear well. The baby may need
to be taken to a health worker to have his hearing
checked.
Then the first child names other animals, each
in a softer and softer voice, until at last he is
whispering.
After about 10 animals have been named, and
the words that the younger children heard have
been written down, compare the different lists.
Repeat this 2 or 3 times.
How can children help look after the ears of
their brothers and sisters?
They can regularly look in their ears to see that
there is no pus or small object inside. If they see
anything wrong they should tell an older person,
who should take the child to a health worker for
help.
Any child who has not heard nearly as many
words as the others probably has a hearing
problem. Let this child sit at the front of the class. If
possible, he should be examined by a health worker—
especially if he has pus in an ear or frequent earache.
Children testing hearing in Mexico.
Hearing games children can play with babies
The children may think of games to help babies
listen and learn.
For example:
• Singing to babies,
and teaching songs to
young children.
• Telling stories
and changing voices
to sound like different
people in the story-
loud, soft, angry.