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How to teach a hearing-impaired child to read: effective techniques and practical advice
Teaching a hearing-impaired child to read requires a special approach that combines visual, tactile and auditory (if there is residual hearing) methods. Here are key strategies based on current pedagogical practices and recommendations of specialists.
1. Starting early and using global reading
🔹 At what age to start?
Learning can start from 2-3 years old using the global reading method (seeing the whole word as an image).
🔹 How does it work?
– Word plates: Write simple words (“mum”, “house”, “cat”) in large block letters on cards and match them to objects or pictures.
– Constant visual reinforcement: For example, the sign ‘chair’ is always placed on the chair and ‘cup’ is always placed on the cup.
🔹 Example activity:
1. Show the child the sign ‘apple’ and the real fruit.
2. Say the word, articulating clearly.
3. Ask the child to repeat the action by putting the sign in front of the object.
2. Combining spoken and written language
🔹 Why is this important?
Children with hearing impairment often perceive visual information better than auditory information. Written speech becomes a ‘bridge’ to understanding spoken.
🔹 Methods:
– Lip reading: Say the words while holding the tablet to the chin so the child can see both the spelling and articulation.
– Dactylology (finger alphabet): Use gestures for letters along with spelling words.
3. Development of phonemic hearing (if there is residual hearing)
🔹 Games for training:
– ‘Guess the sound’: The child claps when he hears a given sound (e.g. ‘sh’ in “ball”, ‘mouse’).
– Sorting the pictures: Put the pictures into groups according to the initial sound (‘cat’ – ‘k’, “juice” – ‘s’).
🔹 Technical support:
– FM systems and hearing aids help to amplify speech sounds.
4. Analytical-Synthetic Method (for children 4-5 years old)
When the child has mastered global reading, move on to word parsing:
1. Syllable reading: syllable tables (e.g., ‘ma’, “pa”, ‘ba’).
2. Making words from letters: Use magnetic alphabet books or cards.
3. Simple texts: Short sentences with illustrations (The cat sleeps. The house is tall’).
5. Motivation and play format
🔹 How to get interested?
– Books with bright pictures: Choose titles with minimal text and clear images.
– Interactive stories: Let the child ‘read’ by using gestures or showing the actions of the characters.
– Reading as a ritual: Look at a book together daily, even if the child cannot yet read independently.
Important Tips for Parents
✔ Create a Speech Environment: Speak clearly, use gestures and write cues.
✔ Praise for attempts: Even if a word is not read accurately.
✔ Collaborate with professionals: A speech therapist and a speech therapist can help you find an individual program.
Example of success:
One of the methods described by parents is the use of Nikitin cubes. The child quickly learnt to read syllables, understanding that replacing the first letter creates new words (ma’ → ‘pa’).
Conclusion
The key is patience and consistency. Combine methods based on the child’s interests. For example, if he loves animals, start with books about animals and captions on their pictures.
Which method will you try first? 😊
