Natural Communication

Diana Sanchez, M.Ed.
Created for: Partners for A Greater Voice, Post Office Box 734, Ipswich, Massachusetts 01938 U.S.A.
978-312-1200 / www.greatervoice.com

Most children who are hearing impaired, have the ability to develop speech and language to communicate in a "natural" manner. Natural Communication or Natural Method is the belief that natural language can be developed in deaf children just as it is in hearing children. The key to natural communication is providing the children with experiences that will make language meaningful and that are fun.

Natural communication is NOT using a systemic way to teach vocabulary. It is teaching vocabulary on a need to know basis, introducing the words in a natural situation, such as a conversation, singing a song, or while playing a game. Language principles are best learned in natural situations, then practiced and reinforced through games and stories. Systematic approaches, drills, or textbooks are far less effective than repetition in meaningful situations.

As parents and teachers, the key to teaching natural communication is to help the child discover the value of listening to the new sound he/she is being provided. You have to “sell” listening the child. You have to set up situations that show the child that the way to get meaning is through working on processing the words or sounds being spoken. This will mean NOT gesturing to him when you want him/her to listen, pointing to the objects you ask for, or tapping their shoulder to get their attention.

Communication with young children should be done with things that interest the child. The parent or teacher should attend to what the child is gazing at, reaching for, or playing with. Communication should relate to what is present and ongoing in the child’s immediate environment. Abstract ideas and concepts are not helpful when trying to communicate naturally. The child should be able to touch, see, or smell what they are talking about. The child should be involved and excited.

• What are some experiences we could expose children to that would foster natural communication?