https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 24 May 2026 15:24:00 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-explain-blindnessdeafness-to-your-lo#post-2569015 Thu, 16 Jun 2016 13:51:46 +0000 JenGirl 2569015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe have them cover their ears with their hands and explain that some people are like that all the time and some can't hear at all. Same with covering their eyes. You could try a game of seeing how long they could keep their eyes closed while trying to do something simple like walk or pick up a toy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-explain-blindnessdeafness-to-your-lo#post-2568860 Thu, 16 Jun 2016 11:01:20 +0000 Mrs. Grizzly Bear 2568860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hummusgirl: Also great suggestion. Thank you :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-explain-blindnessdeafness-to-your-lo#post-2568857 Thu, 16 Jun 2016 10:56:53 +0000 hummusgirl 2568857@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe find a YouTube video showing people having a sign language conversation? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-explain-blindnessdeafness-to-your-lo#post-2568848 Thu, 16 Jun 2016 10:46:55 +0000 Mrs. Grizzly Bear 2568848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: I agree, exposure is key. I just want them to be respectful of others. </p> <p>That just reminded me of a 'game' they play in Primary (Montessori). They use a blindfold, cover up some geometric solids - cylinder, cube, sphere, etc - with a clothe then they use their hands to try and guess the solid correctly. That's something familiar they can use to understand blindness a little better. And acting out different scenarios is a great idea too with the sign language. Thank you! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-explain-blindnessdeafness-to-your-lo#post-2568844 Thu, 16 Jun 2016 10:41:19 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2568844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Unfortunately I think its just something they have to see or experience before they can really comprehend it. </p> <p>My daughter still loves to "play" sign language and will do her signs to me (a mix of the baby signs she knows and other hand gestures). So she kinda makes it a game. You could do similar games with them blindfolded. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-explain-blindnessdeafness-to-your-lo#post-2568839 Thu, 16 Jun 2016 10:32:34 +0000 Mrs. Grizzly Bear 2568839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This may sound bizarre to ask but hear me out. </p> <p>Recently we were at Publix shopping for some items while waiting for a prescription to be filled. I was driving their double cart (race car of course) and the children were being their normal, chatty, friendly selves. We were in the cereal aisle and DD started waving and calling hi to someone. It was an employee. At first I just chalked it up to her behavior but she grew increasingly frustrated and DS started trying to get this employee's attention. I started trying to quiet them, saying he was just working, when the employee glanced up and noticed me glancing at him and the children waving their hands at him. He started to mouth sorry and swiftly walked over while getting a pad and pen out of his pocket and thrusting it at me, using the universal sign language and mouthing the word to say he couldn't hear. I nodded and began writing "They just wanted to say hi." He looked very relieved and started to smile and wave back at them much to their delight. But when he didn't respond to their chatter - they were introducing themselves - my son grew agitated again. He asked me why the an wasn't answering and the man was actually writing on the pad at the time asking if he could assist me with anything. I said no and then did my best to explain to my children why the man was being nice and helpful but he couldn't hear them. DS has a hard time understanding this. </p> <p>How do you handle situations like this and explaining that a person is deaf and/or blind? I grew up with a blind aunt and was regularly exposed to being around those who were extremely hard of hearing/ deaf as well. It took some adjusting obviously and something that came with age/experience but by middle school it wasn't a novelty. I want to ensure I'm setting a positive example as well as building a solid foundation for the kiddos of understanding and acceptance of differences. What would you do? </p>