School systems and daycare centers alike have adapted and learned to teach deaf children. Enrolling your deaf child in daycare is actually one of the best things that you can do for them!Like all children, hearing impaired and deaf children, need to socialize and learn in a group of their peers. Isolating any child regardless of whether or not they are deaf can have serious implications later on in their lives. Granted, other children may not know sign language, but teachers, caregivers, and staff members of daycares and schools take deafness into consideration. By enrolling your deaf child in daycare, you give them real-world experience with their disorder and allow them to acclimate. Now, let’s get into some of the benefits of daycare for deaf children.
The best part about enrolling a deaf child in daycare is the fact that they get to practice functioning in a society made up predominantly of hearing people. Having to deal with communication barriers between friends and teachers may be frustrating at times, but it also gives a child plenty of practice breaking down those barriers to successfully communicate with peers. Navigating a society that can hear can be a valuable skill necessary for higher education and the workplace. A child who feels confident with their identity as person who is deaf and isn't shy about asking for help generally feels better about themselves.
Some states require that deaf daycares and public daycares follow the same curriculum, others don't. Even methods of teaching at deaf daycares vary widely. Deaf daycares can have pure ASL-based communication philosophies, Total Communication philosophies, or even oral programs. In regards to reading-level statistics, no viable concrete information exists, as the reading-level statistics available on deaf children include both mainstream students and those at deaf daycares. Unfortunately, these stereotypes about deaf daycares/schools can be potentially harmful when enrolling a child in private or even public schools.As a parent, it’s important to understand that the challenges of raising a deaf child through daycare do not outweigh the benefits. Enrolling a deaf child in the right daycare means that they get specialized attention. In some instances, daycare centers exist with curriculums designed for deaf children to learn sign language, adjust to hearing barriers, and adapt to a society of their peers who can hear. Be sure to do your research and find a daycare that features such a curriculum.
Finding a daycare for deaf children can be extremely time-consuming and for good reason. Just be sure to keep your child in mind during the process, because that motivation will help you push to find the perfect daycare for a deaf child. When finding a daycare for deaf children, be sure to make certain that the daycare practices appropriate communication techniques, features the right classroom accommodations, has supportive technologies, and offers specialized care. All in all, you’ll want to know for sure that your child will have some form of accommodations when attending daycare given the fact that they are deaf. In doing so, and by enrolling your child in daycare, you give them a chance at getting acclimated to navigating with hearing people. By letting your deaf child become familiar and socialize with a society that can hear, you better prepare them for life as they grow older. This will also prepare them for schooling, and ensure that they have the fortitude to drive themselves to succeed. Are you looking for child care in Oklahoma that is inclusive to children with hearing loss? Our marketplace lists some of the most skillful providers around, be sure to check out Wonderschool!
Find a child care program that meets your needs from thousands of listings using our Child Care Finder. If you're a provider, create a listing to get discovered by families near you!
