Mini-Course: Preparing for School-Entry

 

2 - Preparing Your Child for School-Entry

Getting the listener's attention and other tips

Prior to speaking, help your child ensure a listener is ready to receive his or her message. Teach your child to state the name of the person he or she is addressing first, and make and maintain eye contact throughout any interaction.

Other self-advocacy tips include:
  • Talking to your child's audiologist, speech therapist, and other professionals who work in fields related to hearing about additional strategies for building your child's self-advocacy skills.
  • Tailoring the self-advocacy strategies you practice with your child to his or her communication skills, age, personality, concerns, strengths, and challenges.
  • Making practice fun and natural. Avoid "drilling" your child on these skills. Rather, integrate them into every day interactions and practice whenever you have the opportunity.
  • Continuing building skills throughout the year. Add more difficult skills as your child masters the simpler ones.
To obtain a copy of these self-advocacy tips, print a copy of the Developing my child's self-advocacy skills information sheet.

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