Language and Learning

• Include your child in all family conversations.
• Use facial expressions and gestures to help get your ideas across.
• Have "conversations" with your child. Encourage her to talk to you.
• Try to get her to answer questions with more than a "yes" or "no."
• Help your child learn about taking turns in conversations
• Encourage the rest of your family to be patient if you need to repeat or translate what they said.
• Take the time to listen to your child.
• Try to understand what she's saying.
• Ask other family members to do the same.

• Teach your child words or signs for all sorts of feelings.
• Teach her feelings like sad, happy, mad, bored, afraid and confused.
• For more information visit:
  How do I feel? - Building Concepts

• Make picture books with your child about what you do during the day
• Fill the picture book with pictures you take with your camera.
• Use pictures you cut out from magazines.
• Fill the book with your child's drawings.

• Later, use the picture books to talk about what you did.

• Read out loud to your child.
• Talk about the stories you read.
• Act out stories.
• For more information visit:
  Reading with Young Children – babyhearing.org

Do you have a friend, classmate or co-worker who is deaf? Maybe he uses sign language or maybe he speaks. Either way, there are things you can do that will help you communicate.

Communicating with a person who is DHH sometimes takes longer than talking with a hearing person. It can be rewarding. Follow these tips the next time you meet someone who is deaf or hard of hearing.

Be prepared.

Find a quiet, well-lit room to talk in.

Be patient.

Talk normally, and keep your mouth clear.

Make sure you can see the other person's face clearly. Make sure he can see yours, too.

Learn sign language.