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Read-Along: How do you read to deaf children? - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos
HOW do you read a story to deaf children? Same as regular kids. Use lots of facial expressions and make loud movements.
The first Inquirer Read-Along session before an audience of deaf children was held on Friday.
Some 30 students of the Philippine School for the Deaf (PSD) in Pasay City were treated to stories of children overcoming the odds. The first was a tale about a mathematically gifted blind boy, the second featured a leukemia-stricken girl with fantastic hair, and the third was all about a boy named Og who refused to blow his nose.
The children, aged 7 to 13 and enrolled in Grades 1 to 3, were especially selected for the session, as they belong to the “star sections” of the PSD.
It looked like a typical Read-Along session. Some of the kids sat quietly on the mat while others ran around. Then one of the teachers stood in front, smiled and gave instructions using her hands.
The children understood that the program was about to begin.
The session began with a prayer. Gary Valenciano’s “Lead Me Lord” played in the background while the children prayed and sang together—in sign language.
The event was held in cooperation with Quota International Manila.
Numbers, wigs and noses
Inquirer storyteller Grig Montegrande kicked off the session with Russell Molina’s “Ten up, Ten down” by Adarna House. It is the story of a young girl’s blind friend named Mak-mak who is good with numbers despite his visual handicap.
Percy Gapas of Alitaptap read Luis Gatmaitan’s “Raquel’s Amazing Hair,” also by Adarna. It is about a young girl named Raquel and her amazing hair which turned out to be a wig as she had leukemia.
Gapas capped the session with a lively reading of Christine Bellen’s “Snotty-nosed Og,” published by Lampara.
Friday’s session was hosted by Libre editor in chief Chito dela Vega, who was assisted by PSD teachers Anne Marjorie Gatilogo and Angelita Trinidad, who acted as sign language interpreters throughout the program.
New idea
Dr. Yolanda Capulong, PSD principal, shared that Quota, an organization that has been supporting the school for years, came up with the idea to hold a Read-Along session for the deaf students.
“[Quota] kept thinking of ways to help the school, like sponsoring activities and some of the children,” Capulong said. “And every time they encounter something different, they would approach us and ask, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if [we tried this ...]”
The principal said the Read-Along was an extraordinary event. “The children really enjoyed themselves. We’re also happy because we were able to show people that the deaf can be part of the mainstream; that they can participate in everyday activities.”
“They did not hear the words, but you could see from their reactions that they were really entertained. They had lots of fun,” said Dr. Carmelita C. Abelleneda, assistant principal of PSD. “I think this activity would really develop their interest for reading books. It was a wonderful and meaningful experience for the children.”
Teacher Trinidad, who has been with PSD for 21 years, said: “I think they really enjoyed Kuya Percy’s segment because he used a lot of facial expressions ... You can see how excited they were whenever the storyteller asked them to copy whatever he was doing.”
Teacher Gatilogo, on the other hand, said that they were using similar techniques in the classroom. “But we have to work harder to keep the children’s attention, as they are easily distracted by things they see,” she said.
PSD guidance teacher, Lovelynn Bacera, said: “The stories presented were right for their age group as children understand them very well. I also think the question-and-answer portions at the end of the stories were effective icebreakers.”
Speaking through gestures
Speaking through their teacher interpreters, Jommel dela Rama and Justin Philip Gonzales, both Grade 2 students, showed how much they enjoyed the session with their animated gestures.
Jean Marie Facuri, Quota International Manila president and organizer of the event, said the session went well.
“It was fun. The Quota members enjoyed it as much as the children,” she said.
The session was held in cooperation with Quota, who also prepared snacks, and prizes for the kids who won in the question-and-answer portions.
HOW do you read a story to deaf children? Same as regular kids. Use lots of facial expressions and make loud movements.
The first Inquirer Read-Along session before an audience of deaf children was held on Friday.
Some 30 students of the Philippine School for the Deaf (PSD) in Pasay City were treated to stories of children overcoming the odds. The first was a tale about a mathematically gifted blind boy, the second featured a leukemia-stricken girl with fantastic hair, and the third was all about a boy named Og who refused to blow his nose.
The children, aged 7 to 13 and enrolled in Grades 1 to 3, were especially selected for the session, as they belong to the “star sections” of the PSD.
It looked like a typical Read-Along session. Some of the kids sat quietly on the mat while others ran around. Then one of the teachers stood in front, smiled and gave instructions using her hands.
The children understood that the program was about to begin.
The session began with a prayer. Gary Valenciano’s “Lead Me Lord” played in the background while the children prayed and sang together—in sign language.
The event was held in cooperation with Quota International Manila.
Numbers, wigs and noses
Inquirer storyteller Grig Montegrande kicked off the session with Russell Molina’s “Ten up, Ten down” by Adarna House. It is the story of a young girl’s blind friend named Mak-mak who is good with numbers despite his visual handicap.
Percy Gapas of Alitaptap read Luis Gatmaitan’s “Raquel’s Amazing Hair,” also by Adarna. It is about a young girl named Raquel and her amazing hair which turned out to be a wig as she had leukemia.
Gapas capped the session with a lively reading of Christine Bellen’s “Snotty-nosed Og,” published by Lampara.
Friday’s session was hosted by Libre editor in chief Chito dela Vega, who was assisted by PSD teachers Anne Marjorie Gatilogo and Angelita Trinidad, who acted as sign language interpreters throughout the program.
New idea
Dr. Yolanda Capulong, PSD principal, shared that Quota, an organization that has been supporting the school for years, came up with the idea to hold a Read-Along session for the deaf students.
“[Quota] kept thinking of ways to help the school, like sponsoring activities and some of the children,” Capulong said. “And every time they encounter something different, they would approach us and ask, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if [we tried this ...]”
The principal said the Read-Along was an extraordinary event. “The children really enjoyed themselves. We’re also happy because we were able to show people that the deaf can be part of the mainstream; that they can participate in everyday activities.”
“They did not hear the words, but you could see from their reactions that they were really entertained. They had lots of fun,” said Dr. Carmelita C. Abelleneda, assistant principal of PSD. “I think this activity would really develop their interest for reading books. It was a wonderful and meaningful experience for the children.”
Teacher Trinidad, who has been with PSD for 21 years, said: “I think they really enjoyed Kuya Percy’s segment because he used a lot of facial expressions ... You can see how excited they were whenever the storyteller asked them to copy whatever he was doing.”
Teacher Gatilogo, on the other hand, said that they were using similar techniques in the classroom. “But we have to work harder to keep the children’s attention, as they are easily distracted by things they see,” she said.
PSD guidance teacher, Lovelynn Bacera, said: “The stories presented were right for their age group as children understand them very well. I also think the question-and-answer portions at the end of the stories were effective icebreakers.”
Speaking through gestures
Speaking through their teacher interpreters, Jommel dela Rama and Justin Philip Gonzales, both Grade 2 students, showed how much they enjoyed the session with their animated gestures.
Jean Marie Facuri, Quota International Manila president and organizer of the event, said the session went well.
“It was fun. The Quota members enjoyed it as much as the children,” she said.
The session was held in cooperation with Quota, who also prepared snacks, and prizes for the kids who won in the question-and-answer portions.