But, she reports, some families are opposed, thinking, for example, this might discourage their children from becoming fully competent in a hearing and speaking environment. Napoli advocates teaching these children sign language. However, not only is the success rate with cochlear implants highly variable, but children who have not acquired a first language in the early years might never be completely fluent in any language. In her scholarly writing, she observes that 80% of children born deaf in the developed world receive cochlear implants, allowing some of them access to sound in the early years critical to speech development. The illustrations by Amy Bates are perfect for very young children.ĭiscussion: It turns out that Donna Jo Napoli, one of my favorite authors, is also Professor of Linguistics at Swarthmore and in addition works for the language rights of deaf children. Their simple activities are shown with muted pencil-and-watercolor paintings on one side of the two-page spreads, and illustrations of associated sign language on the other side.įifteen words help describe the full and fun day that includes flowers, dance, sun, swim, and of course the word laugh, ending up with the word for sunset. This story follows a mother and daughter on an outing to the beach.
0 kommentar(er)
