Colored tape on fingers - would it help teach child?

[happyfrog]

I (as you know) recently discovered my 6 month old is deaf. We're a hearing household. He's SO interested and visually alert that I thought just as the videos/dvds are so easy to learn the words, would it help if I considered taping my fingers, too?

I know, goofy?? but hey, if it'll help him pick up the signs faster - or at least catch his eye more often, I'm game. I know I have a few rolls of colored electrical tape in the basement that are just gathering dust. . . .

BettyAnn

PS my dh is watching me type this and is chuckling at me. . ..

[Kei_as_in_K]

It couldn't hurt!!! It could even help your son track your finger positions better... I say go for it!!

[happyfrog]

Thank you! :)

As soon as the tie dye coloring fades off my hands, I'll start doing the finger taping (just the thumb/forefinger) to see if that catches my son's eyes more. He doesn't respond to leg stomping or hand waving usually (from what I'm reading, those are appropriate ways to get a deaf person's attention ??? ) I don't understand the flash of light method. Do you walk around with a flashlight all the time????????

BettyAnn
trying to learn about deaf culture

next abr test is August 1 or 2 (can't remember which at the top of my head). ds only stayed asleep long enough for his 'better' ear to get tested and tested in severe range. They didn't get good bone something or other results with that ear, so they're going to redo that test as well as test the right ear (his 'worse' ear).

[ST! Rebecca]

I would personally think that's not necessary at home - it is in ST! in a teaching/entertaining environment when filming - for technical and other reasons - but I don't think you need to do this at home in an every day situation. It's like putting lipstick on so your kids can see your mouth move...?

Cheers,

Rebecca

[aligreat]

It's like putting lipstick on so your kids can see your mouth move...?

I have to do that too?!?!?! Isn't the tape enough. If it will help I'll do it. LOL

[c01dunlap]

It's like putting lipstick on so your kids can see your mouth move...?

Cheers,

Rebecca
Would that help?? Some days I'd try anything! LOL. Just kidding. Rebecca/Ali you two crack me up.

[Rachel]

We added the colored fingers because of the lack of definition coming from tape to TV to your home. On tv a fist looks like a fist - not necessarily an "A" or "S" or "T". But I bet it would get their attention at home too!

[Jenrose]

Actually, the lipstick thing isn't a bad idea. We realized a few weeks ago that Shiny was *totally* reading our lips for certain words. Ask her "Where are your piggies" when she's not looking, and she will look for the sound...but ask her "where are your piggies" when she is looking, and she will grab her toes.

That's changed since the surgery. She's now orienting much better to sound and responds to spoken words even if she can't see us (and even giggles when I whisper next to her "bad" ear even if I'm not blowing on her) but honestly, lipstick wouldn't be a bad idea to help with that lipreading. I honestly don't care if she signs, speaks, lipreads, types, whatever as long as she's understanding and communicating.