Speech Development Work for a Visually Impaired Child. Gestures

This material is suitable for children of any school age.

Parents and teachers should pay close attention to familiarizing the child with the surrounding world, developing auditory perception, and teaching tactile exploration of objects.

For a sighted child, a key element in perceiving the world is visual aids. They see an adult, start copying facial expressions and gestures, and learn to speak by imitating adults. In the case of a visually impaired child, touch and auditory perception come to the forefront. Therefore, speech development work should be based on the use of touch, residual vision, and hearing.

Means of communication can be divided into two groups: nonverbal and verbal. Nonverbal communication is communication without the use of words. Images, facial expressions, gestures, and intonations are the main tools of nonverbal communication, conveying information through “body language” rather than verbal narration.

A blind or visually impaired child needs to learn this type of communication. The previous article described how to develop facial expressions and facial muscle movements to convey feelings, as the face, smile, and furrowed brows are mirrors of mood.

In this article, we will discuss how to teach a visually impaired child to use gestures. Gestures are body movements, such as movements of the hands, legs, face, and body during conversation.

Exercises for Teaching Gestures:

1. Show a tall tree.
2. Show a small flower.
3. Show a big bear.
4. Show directions “around,” “down,” “up.”
5. Mimic petting a kitten.
6. Use your hands to show how you are happy to see your parents.
7. Mimic a request.
8. Show “what time is it.”
9. Gestures for “Give,” “Take,” and “No.”

In many cases, it is necessary to help the child make certain gestures, such as spreading their arms for a hug, mimicking a request (folding hands together as if praying), or waving goodbye with their right hand.

Each gesture is like a word. For example, for “What time is it,” tap your wrist and say the question. While teaching sign language to the child, it is important to speak. Each gesture should be accompanied by verbal narration. For example, if grandma brings a new soft toy, show how happy you are about the new toy. Mimic how you thank grandma with gestures (hugs), say kind words to her, and hug the new toy. In play, both emotions and ways to express them are developed.

Experiencing unusual situations gives the child significant opportunities to express themselves in nonverbal communication forms. Incorporating nonverbal communication methods into sketches and games helps develop the child’s everyday communicative activities.

Let’s simulate a real-life situation and introduce a theatrical approach. The adult’s speech should be extremely expressive and emotional.

Imagine that you have guests. Show with a gesture how you invite them to the table. Mimic playing the piano. Show with gestures that you don’t want the guests to leave.

The child should relate the pose, gesture, and movement to the meaning of the spoken words when embodying an artistic image.