Deaf Parenting - Holidays Communication Tips For Families With Deaf Children
Well, it is the busy holiday time again! Such a wonderful time for celebrations and family at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years.
You are so busy.
There is shopping to do; travel plans to make; relatives coming to visit; going to relatives to visit; cooking to be done; going to worship; the list just goes on and on.
Through this busy time when family celebrations are happening, it is really important to have effective communication with your Deaf child and to include them in all the activities.
Your hearing children are picking up from general conversations, phone conversations etc what is happening and all the plans that are being made.
It is very heart breaking to realize after the fact that you went to visit relatives and your Deaf child does not even know the names of the relatives.
Some planning can ease your frustration and your child's frustration.
Here are some tips: 1.
Try to explain to your child the family plans.
You can do this by explaining to your child what the family will be doing tomorrow or on the next trip.
For example, we will be going to the airport, taking a plane to New York to visit Aunt Jane, Uncle Joe and Cousin John and June.
Use pictures and sign language to explain to your child the names of new people they will meet.
When your child is older and can read you can always write a simple itinerary and share it with all family members before trips.
2.
Make the effort to interpret for your child what is being said.
You can share the interpreting among various family members.
An excellent place to interpret what is happening is at the dinner table.
3.
Concerning going to worship, most places will provide an interpreter if you contact them early enough.
You can volunteer to contact the interpreter and make the arrangements if necessary.
It is strongly recommended that you request an interpreter at least 2 months in advance, or find worship services where they provide an interpreter all year round.
The place of worship should pay for the interpreter.
What we have been doing lately when we visit out of state is attend a church which has an interpreter and Deaf members.
The last church we went to had a Deaf minister and interpreter, with all the people in the same service and location.
Larry and Amrit really enjoyed worship and felt included.
4.
I have found that young children are very eager to learn to sign.
You can send a sign language book or DVD to your child's cousins before the visit so they can learn some signs.
5.
Everyone enjoys learning the signs for the various holidays.
Have your child teach the relatives those signs and other signs.
Make it a fun activity.
6.
If you are visiting some where, make sure the TV closed caption is always on.
I hope these simple tips are helpful! Please add your tips by commenting on the blog! Happy Holidays!
You are so busy.
There is shopping to do; travel plans to make; relatives coming to visit; going to relatives to visit; cooking to be done; going to worship; the list just goes on and on.
Through this busy time when family celebrations are happening, it is really important to have effective communication with your Deaf child and to include them in all the activities.
Your hearing children are picking up from general conversations, phone conversations etc what is happening and all the plans that are being made.
It is very heart breaking to realize after the fact that you went to visit relatives and your Deaf child does not even know the names of the relatives.
Some planning can ease your frustration and your child's frustration.
Here are some tips: 1.
Try to explain to your child the family plans.
You can do this by explaining to your child what the family will be doing tomorrow or on the next trip.
For example, we will be going to the airport, taking a plane to New York to visit Aunt Jane, Uncle Joe and Cousin John and June.
Use pictures and sign language to explain to your child the names of new people they will meet.
When your child is older and can read you can always write a simple itinerary and share it with all family members before trips.
2.
Make the effort to interpret for your child what is being said.
You can share the interpreting among various family members.
An excellent place to interpret what is happening is at the dinner table.
3.
Concerning going to worship, most places will provide an interpreter if you contact them early enough.
You can volunteer to contact the interpreter and make the arrangements if necessary.
It is strongly recommended that you request an interpreter at least 2 months in advance, or find worship services where they provide an interpreter all year round.
The place of worship should pay for the interpreter.
What we have been doing lately when we visit out of state is attend a church which has an interpreter and Deaf members.
The last church we went to had a Deaf minister and interpreter, with all the people in the same service and location.
Larry and Amrit really enjoyed worship and felt included.
4.
I have found that young children are very eager to learn to sign.
You can send a sign language book or DVD to your child's cousins before the visit so they can learn some signs.
5.
Everyone enjoys learning the signs for the various holidays.
Have your child teach the relatives those signs and other signs.
Make it a fun activity.
6.
If you are visiting some where, make sure the TV closed caption is always on.
I hope these simple tips are helpful! Please add your tips by commenting on the blog! Happy Holidays!
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