Communication is so important in our lives. There are audible yet inaudible kinds of communications. Some communication cannot be heard but can be felt, and this kind of communication, we all know is much more important.

Deaf children cannot hear what we say, but they can feel it. We can help them to learn sign language and be with them with affection.

Let us remember that children are fascinated with sign language and often pay greater attention to what is being taught when they are involved. It is also known that when children learn a word in conjunction with the sign, they are more likely to remember the meaning of the word.

Children learn language best from their parents, adults, and other children. Early intervention is a major key to fluency.

We all know that children are fascinated with hand movements. If children are captivated and involved in their learning process, then they will be motivated to keep learning and are better able to remember what is being taught.

Sign-language gestures inflect according to the context. To recognize such sign language symbols, the structure of sign language must be made clear.

Sign language lessons cannot be fully achieved without effective language and communication skills. Therefore, language lessons must be designed in integration with other people, primarily to build language skills and speech.

Socializing is very important to deaf children because they do not often get the opportunity to do that in their language.

Parents need to seek professional opinions, gauge their own child, and listen to their gut instincts If something is not working for their child, they need to change it

Children who are deaf are normal kids, they can not hear normally but their other senses are sharper, and that disability if we want to call it is not a hindrance for them not to love, so as friends of family members they need love from us, the highest form of communication.

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Does anyone know a website address I can check out where I can meet deaf or hearing impaired people in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin? I am hoping to find a date with a person with hearing loss. By the way, I am hearing impaired.

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Preparation:
Make your own or purchase a set of ASL alphabet flash cards. For example, we have a double set of alphabet cards available through the LT Store, that you can download, and print immediately. We would recommend any number of  the following options to preserve the life of the cards.

1. If your printer has the capability to pull through cardstock (60 lb), use it! This prevents seeing the images through the paper.

2. If you or your children are the least bit crafty, print out the cards, trim excess paper, paste onto cereal box cardboard, then cut along the lines.

3. For a set of cards impervious to spilled pop and dirty fingers: print on cardstock, cut out each card individually, then laminate them, leaving a wide border to ensure a secure seal between each. Office supply stores (Kinkos, Staples, etc.) will provide this service on a per page basis. Amazon.com sells a variety of mini laminators that may just be the handiest purchase you make this year (right after the hot glue gun or the can of spray adhesive!) 

Sample Activities:

1. Mix up all the alphabet flashcards. Allow the student to become familiar with the signs by making the alphabet sign and then placing it on a table in order. For example, draw out the card for B. Make the sign for B, carefully matching the picture on the card. Place the card on the table. Draw another card. Perhaps this card is H. Make the sign for H. Place it on the table after B. (Were the next card an A, it would go before the B.) Continue until all cards are on the table in order. Then sign the alphabet, looking at the cards if need be, in order.

2. Mix up the alphabet flashcards. One by one, hold each card in a manner that covers the letter notation. The student must call out the alphabet letter that matches the sign. Once recognition is consistent except for a few, place the cards that are identified correctly in a pile but put the cards that are incorrectly identified back in the deck to be examined again. Continue with the activity until all cards have been identified and placed in the pile.

3. This activity requires two decks of ASL flashcards. Mix up the alphabet flashcards. Place them face down in rows on a table. A game may be played that is similar to “Concentration.” The first player turns over two cards, perhaps a D and an S. The player should try to remember where they are and then turn them back over, face down. The next player may then turn over two cards, for example, F and Z. Again, the object is to concentrate on where those two cards are so that they can be found again. Mental notes should be made of the signs that correspond to the letters. For example, the player might say to him/herself, “That is an F and it is found on the second row, second to the right.” The card is then replaced face down. Then the next player turns over his or her first card. Suppose it is a D. The object is for the player to remember where the D was from the first round and turn it over to “match.” If he or she is successful, the pair of cards goes to his or her pile. After all cards have been paired, each player counts his or her pairs and must make the appropriate signs for each letter represented on the flashcards.

With younger children, the sign language flash cards might be combined to reinforce phonics lessons. Try this activity:

Mix up the ASL alphabet flash cards. Ask your child to close his or her eyes and draw a flashcard from the pile. Look around the room and help your child select a word that emphasizes the phonetic sound that letter can represent. Concentrate on nouns – persons, places, and things. For instance, for the letter “d,” you might name dog, dollar, dot, desk, and door. Make the sign for the letter. As familiarity with the signs increases, you may want to try spelling some of the items that you name in their entirety. For example, you might first make the sign for “D” when you name “dog.” After practice, you and your child may wish to spell “d-o-g.”

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