Parents and other family members can play a leading role in teaching hearing impaired children. Parents of deaf children can help in bringing up their children in a way that their all round development can be ensured. The basis of this overall development is language development and speech.
Parent’s Role in Teaching Deaf Students
Parents can play a vital role in speech and language development of children suffering from hearing loss. Their role plays foremost importance in shaping up their children’s future. Since children spend their maximum time at home hence the possibility of learning is highest at home. Like the normal children, hearing impaired children too, can be taught language through constant interaction and exposure. Parents can help their hearing impaired children in learning by providing them with a favorable social environment at home. Conscious efforts from parents of deaf children can go an extra mile in securing the future of the children.
Tips for Parents
Parents should keep the following things in mind when teaching hearing impaired children:
- Talk to the child in a natural way as if he/she is not suffering from a hearing impairment at all.
- Ensure that the child uses hearing aids properly.
- Talk in a slow speed when the child is looking at you so that the child can catch the words easily.
- Label things around the child consciously for quick learning.
- Keep a regular check whether the hearing aids are functioning properly or not.
- Talk about the activities going around the child.
Suggestions for Teaching Deaf Students
The following suggestions can further help in teaching deaf students in reading, writing and language acquisition.
- Learn the techniques that are used by teachers in teaching hearing impaired children in the classroom and follow the same at home
- Enroll the child in a school. The decision whether to enroll the child in a specialized school or a regular education public school should be made considering the achievements and abilities of the child.
- Consult special teachers for structuring the education program of students suffering from a hearing impairment.
- Get involved in the daily lessons carried out in school for teaching deaf students to read and write.
- Meet regularly with the teachers to keep a tab on the progress of learning and development of your children.
- Offer support to the child in his successes as well as failures.
- Try making the child self sufficient and independent in daily activities by becoming his teacher at home.
- Motivate the child in interacting with others
Talking about the experiences of deaf students in high school and other social places can help parents in understanding their children and developing a special bond with them.