01/09/2025
Hearing Children Show Respect and Support 👐
Children who can hear often want to include their Deaf friends but may not always know how. With the right guidance, they can become wonderful allies in building truly inclusive friendships. Parents can help by encouraging their children to:
💡Be patient and kind
Communication may take a little extra time, but patience shows respect.
💡Use eye contact and gestures
Looking at a Deaf friend while talking, pointing, or using facial expressions can help communication.
💡Learn a few signs
Even basic signs like hello, thank you, or friend can go a long way in making a Deaf child feel included.
💡Avoid shouting
Speaking louder doesn’t help, but speaking clearly and facing your friend does.
💡Include them in play
Invite Deaf friends to join in games and group activities, making sure rules and instructions are clear for everyone.
💡Celebrate differences
Teach children that Deafness isn’t something to “fix”; it’s part of who someone is, and that’s something to honour.
When hearing children learn these simple practices, they not only support their Deaf peers but also grow into empathetic, compassionate individuals.
🤟 How Parents Can Help at Home 🤟
Parents can play an important role in modelling respect and inclusion by:
💡Talking openly about Deafness
Explain that some children communicate differently, and that’s perfectly okay.
💡Practising signs together
Make learning sign language a fun family activity.
💡Encouraging questions
Allow your child to ask about Deafness in a respectful way, so curiosity becomes understanding.
💡Valuing diversity
Show your child that differences make friendships richer and more meaningful.
