Attitude
Recognize that there is a definite difference in perspective between a hearing person and a deaf person.Listen and lend them creditability when the child says they feel as if they are being belittled or discrimated against.
Don't make the mistake of controling the information your child has access to - evaluate as to whether you are possibly limiting their development.
Communication
Watch your language, body or otherwise.OPEN communication, whether it takes the form of sign language, speech, or whatever (Total Communication).
Education
Seek out all available information to help the deaf child.Equal Access
Become an advocate for accessibility.Make your own home accessible.
Family Activities
Do stuff and encourage participation in activities that the child will excell at instead of focusing so much on speech and hearing skills. Children need to shine, and deaf children need to shine at something hearing people will admire.Friendships
Provide opportunities to interact with other deaf/hoh children outside of school.Love
Let them know you love them unconditionally.Music
When there is music within the deaf child's enviroment, make it instrumental instead of vocal.Role Models
Find healthy deaf adults with families and spend lots of time with them.If you want your child to be friends with and trust hearing people - be a role model. Become real friends with deaf adults. Show your child what a healthy and close friendship between a deaf person and hearing adult can look like.
