I work with a nine year old student who has a moderate-severe hearing loss. She knows some signs but prefers listening and speaking. She is language delayed possibly due to a number of reasons.
Even though she has a poor grasp of everyday vocabulary and language, I speak to her like I would anyone else. I never "dumb down" my language. I throw in a lot of slang terms and everyday expressions. I use a lot of idioms. I make sure to use these words again and again every time I see her. I never sat down and directly taught her these terms. I mainly directly teach her vocabulary she needs to know for class or specific reasons (if they are going to do a cooking activity, I would teach her the names for the tools and foods they will be using).
I was hoping that she would learn like most hearing children learn language, through osmosis or indirect absorption.
Eventually, I heard her on her own say things like, "Let's check it out." "Oh, cool!" "Oh, snap!" "Okey, dokey." "See ya later alligator." "See ya in a while crocodile." "It's raining cats and dogs outside."
The other day she said, "I find this to be quite amusing."
What?! I asked her where she heard this. She said that she heard it from me. Apparently, I say this a lot. I had no idea that I am such a dork.
I am glad she is listening.
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Even though she has a poor grasp of everyday vocabulary and language, I speak to her like I would anyone else. I never "dumb down" my language. I throw in a lot of slang terms and everyday expressions. I use a lot of idioms. I make sure to use these words again and again every time I see her. I never sat down and directly taught her these terms. I mainly directly teach her vocabulary she needs to know for class or specific reasons (if they are going to do a cooking activity, I would teach her the names for the tools and foods they will be using).
I was hoping that she would learn like most hearing children learn language, through osmosis or indirect absorption.
Eventually, I heard her on her own say things like, "Let's check it out." "Oh, cool!" "Oh, snap!" "Okey, dokey." "See ya later alligator." "See ya in a while crocodile." "It's raining cats and dogs outside."
The other day she said, "I find this to be quite amusing."
What?! I asked her where she heard this. She said that she heard it from me. Apparently, I say this a lot. I had no idea that I am such a dork.
I am glad she is listening.
(e
That's awesome :-)
ReplyDeleteLovely, inspiring...
ReplyDeleteI mentioned you in my blog...
http://deaftranquillife.typepad.com/blog/2010/10/we-the-people.html
Hahah, not so dorky. Kids pick up the darndest things and more than once I have been flabbergasted at what my kids say, then even more flabbergasted that it came from me. That's a bright one you have.
ReplyDeleteThat is SO great you are teaching her these things! Fortunately, I had a mom who was patient enough to explain what "water under the bridge" meant and all of her other sayings, including "raining cats and dogs." I've picked up many of her sayings. Recently after using one of her expressions, my 17yr old said, "Mom, you're talking like grandma again."
ReplyDeleteI decided my daughter might be watching too many commercials when she said something about wanting "a nice cold beverage".
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen, Kym, Frieda, Dianrez, and K.L.
ReplyDeleteKids do pick up the darndest things-- "a nice cold beverage"! LOL. That is hilarious. So cute. LOL.
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Karen,
ReplyDeleteThat is really nice of you to mention me in your blog. Thanks for letting me know. :)
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my 5-year old nephew (hearing) thought the "F" word meant we were out of potato chips. it's what he heard his dad say whenever that happened. :)
ReplyDeleteAnonymous- LOL!
ReplyDeleteFunny, I say the same thing when I run out of potato chips.
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awesome!
ReplyDeleteI am moderately-severe hh person.
You're absolutely right and smart not to dumb-down your language.
The other day, I my son brought home a praying mantis and we talked about how they are chameleons. Then because my kids talk normally to me, I caught on what they said wasn't how I said it. We talked about that too. So, yea, don't talk down and if a anyone don't understand and ask eh?, don't change the word either.
I work with a nine year old student who has a moderate-severe hearing loss. She knows some signs but prefers listening and speaking. She is language delayed possibly due to a number of reasons. this blog
ReplyDelete