This allows the child to make use of his or her residual hearing and focus on developing spoken language skills. Talk, talk, talk with your child using voice, facial expression, and signs. Talk, talk, talk to your child. Use gestures, facial expressions, sign language, and spoken words. Introduce your child to books.
Picture books are an ideal early introduction.
Comfortable with books from childhood, children are more likely to enjoy written language, the gateway to the rest of the visual world. Have high expectations. Unfortunately, too many people, including teachers and trained professionals, have been taught to expect no more than third or fourth grade reading level from deaf students. This undervalues the importance of the written word and the child s ability. Deaf and hard of hearing children are bound to require particular attention.