Miss-Delectable
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For families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing it can be a stressful world. A support group has been set up which meets once a month at the Early Learning Centre at St. Peter’s School in Trenton.
Meetings are held the third Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.
“We started the group in the summer,” said Tricia Bonner, co-ordinator of support groups. “Now we have partners with the Canadian Hearing Society and Sir James Whitney.”
She said it was good for deaf children to practise to sign with other children and see that it’s okay.
Angela Rowan was one mother who brought her son, Matthew, four, who can hear with a hearing aid. They both learn how to sign (ASL) through tutors from Sir James Whitney once a week.
“A teacher comes to our home,” she said. “We both learn together.”
Angela home schools her children but has to decide if she will send Matthew to a regular school where he will need support or to Sir James Whitney. “It’s a whole new world for him,” she said.
Nicole McKerracher also has a hearing impaired child, Aiden, 11 months. She and her husband and their son, Noah, three, will be learning to sign together. She appreciated the support group. “It’s a chance to meet other parents with deaf children,” she said.
Sharon Partridge, an Early Learning Specialist, said the group is for deaf parents as well as children. “There is no age limit,” she said. She added that children can learn to sign at the age of two, and there is an Infant Learning Program which starts soon after birth. While there are Early Learning Centres throughout Ontario run by the YMCA, the Trenton centre is the only one with the program in this area. For more information call Sharon at 965-4272 at the Centre.
It was noted that learning sign language is covered by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education so there is no cost to parents.
“Parents here are really wonderful,” said Bonnie Russell. “They really want to learn.” She felt it is important that deaf children learn to socialize with each other as early as possible.
For families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing it can be a stressful world. A support group has been set up which meets once a month at the Early Learning Centre at St. Peter’s School in Trenton.
Meetings are held the third Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.
“We started the group in the summer,” said Tricia Bonner, co-ordinator of support groups. “Now we have partners with the Canadian Hearing Society and Sir James Whitney.”
She said it was good for deaf children to practise to sign with other children and see that it’s okay.
Angela Rowan was one mother who brought her son, Matthew, four, who can hear with a hearing aid. They both learn how to sign (ASL) through tutors from Sir James Whitney once a week.
“A teacher comes to our home,” she said. “We both learn together.”
Angela home schools her children but has to decide if she will send Matthew to a regular school where he will need support or to Sir James Whitney. “It’s a whole new world for him,” she said.
Nicole McKerracher also has a hearing impaired child, Aiden, 11 months. She and her husband and their son, Noah, three, will be learning to sign together. She appreciated the support group. “It’s a chance to meet other parents with deaf children,” she said.
Sharon Partridge, an Early Learning Specialist, said the group is for deaf parents as well as children. “There is no age limit,” she said. She added that children can learn to sign at the age of two, and there is an Infant Learning Program which starts soon after birth. While there are Early Learning Centres throughout Ontario run by the YMCA, the Trenton centre is the only one with the program in this area. For more information call Sharon at 965-4272 at the Centre.
It was noted that learning sign language is covered by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education so there is no cost to parents.
“Parents here are really wonderful,” said Bonnie Russell. “They really want to learn.” She felt it is important that deaf children learn to socialize with each other as early as possible.