Including Deaf Children At Preschool - Part Two
Thursday, February 25th, 2010This post continues the piece, Including Deaf Children At Preschool (Part One). A key question was put to the mum & creche manager:
How did you identify the potential challenges you (mum & creche) might meet during Charlie’s early days there?
(The Mum)
Once Charlie’s deafness was confirmed, we understood that communication methods had to be adjusted. He [...]
Including Deaf Children At Preschool - Part One
Monday, February 15th, 2010This spring, the Irish government rolls out its free preschool year for all children born between February 2, 2005 to June 30, 2006 (with exemptions for children with special needs). The Early Child Care & Education (ECCE) initiative, which is open to all preschools in Ireland, is profiled on IDK.
IDK will this week [...]
IDK & Special Stories on TV3’s Ireland:AM Show
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010TV3’s Ireland:AM team invited Caroline Carswell from IDK, and Kate Gaynor from Special Stories, into the studio to talk about their “Birthday For Ben” book after Special Stories received a Moonbeam award in the US during late 2009. The video clip of the interview is online at the TV3 website.
Subtitled video clips are also available [...]
‘Experience’ Books From Off We Go! Publishing
Monday, January 18th, 2010Irish company, Off We Go! Publishing, has released a set of books for children to learn about different first-time experiences in early life.
These books benefit those with special needs and any young child experiencing these outings for the first time.
Twelve different titles are in the series, including “Going on a Plane’, “Going to the Optician” [...]
How The “Ben” Book Affected One Young Reader
Friday, November 6th, 2009Some feedback from a mum about the “Ben” book really made us smile. We think you’ll enjoy reading it, too!
” Dear Caroline,
I hope sales of “A Birthday for Ben” are going well. It is one of Christopher’s favourite books and I thought you’d like to know the impression it’s having on him.
He’s obsessed at the [...]
Web Technologies Make Storytelling Inclusive
Friday, August 14th, 2009Twelve UK publishers are using web technologies to present contemporary childrens’ books in sign language with audio, animation and text in a GBP1.5 million project to improve literacy levels among deaf children.
The project, www.signedstories.com, offers a free online library of signed books for deaf children to develop their literacy & language skills, whether signed or [...]
Summer Reading Tips At Childrens Books Ireland
Wednesday, June 24th, 2009Summer holidays mean more time for reading, and Childrens Books Ireland has several tips to make books and reading part of your family’s everyday life. Reading when you are out and about is ideal, while a ten-minute story at your child’s bedtime will help them to wind down after a long day’s play.
A few guidelines [...]
Early Reading Skills For Lifelong Literacy
Tuesday, May 19th, 2009Reading is a key skill for deaf children to develop, as our world is driven by information. Think about it – your child and their peers will grow up with email, texting, computer tools, captioned TV, DVDs and online video clips.
As this website noted recently, digital tools like email, webtext, Skype, video relay or chat, can be [...]
Baby Books & Flash Cards For Language Teaching
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009The Usborne book range recently came to my attention, with a big bonus: free postage for books ordered by email from the representative in Ireland.
The “Baby’s First Flashcards” product would be excellent for language work at home, while being fun for babies and parents to look at and hold.
Infants from 3 months upward have the option of [...]
Teaching Hearing Pupils About Deafness
Tuesday, September 30th, 2008Many school teachers would like how to teach their hearing pupils about deafness but are unsure how to proceed. Children with a classmate who’s deaf can be equally curious about what exactly is involved.
Depending on the age of the children in a school class, the concept of deafness can be taught in a few ways.
Children aged [...]