After 26 years teaching in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program, I want my students to have access to a new-fresh-germ free-drool free-solid-clean books!
My students are from 6 months to 5 years of age and vary in ethnicities, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
All students have a diagnosed and qualifying hearing loss ranging from mild to profound. Students use a variety of technology to access sound such as hearing aids or cochlear implants. Students range in cognitive abilities from normal intelligence to severe-profound mentally handicapped. Some students may be overcoming physical challenges, vision concerns and medical issues. My students are served in their natural environment, rather than a traditional school. I serve the student wherever they are during the school day, such as homes, day cares, babysitters, grandparents' home etc.
My Project
Working in homes I have the wonderful opportunity enhance the life of a child who is deaf and a family through the world of books. Books provide the perfect visual for my Deaf and Hard of Hearing students to increase vocabulary and language. Young children that are deaf and hard of hearing have difficulty accessing spoken language. Emphasizing early literacy learning is important for them to build an understanding for language and builds vocabulary through visuals. It also builds social and emotional development and builds an enjoyment to print that is necessary for becoming a successful reader and writer. Early literacy training in the home setting promotes interest in books and motivates children to read. Encouraging reading in the home setting can build the parent/child bond and becomes fun and rewarding.
As a teacher every opportunity we have with students makes an impact on their academic future.
These new books will help create an interest in books leading to an increase in vocabulary and language. Bringing new books into the home setting is a priceless experience.
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