Teachers' DEN (Deaf Educators' Network)

It’s summer! Long, sunny days are here and children are looking forward to having fun! Opportunities to socialize with other children and adults who are deaf and hard of hearing is critical to developing a positive self-image and summer can be a great time to find these opportunities. 

Summer camps for students who are deaf and hard of hearing are fantastic opportunities for peer interaction and socialization. Students immediately bond over shared experiences. They meet children they may never have had the opportunity to meet and make lasting friendships. If your child missed camp this year, plan for it next year!   

 “Social interactions and friendships in childhood are associated with a wide range factors related to psychological well-being and can be considered protective factors against life stressors and developmental challenges..”  (Batten, Oakes, Alexander, Factors Associated With Social Interactions Between Deaf Children and Their Hearing Peers) 

"Meeting deaf adults will acquaint you with the world and culture of deaf people, and it will bring role models into your child's world—a factor whose importance, right from the start, cannot be overstated."  (Ogden, P. 1996, The Silent Garden: Raising Your Deaf Child) 

More ideas:

• Play groups/dates
• Open-captioned movies
• Sports/classes w/ an interpreter
• Deaf Community groups
• Social media groups

Where to find events: 
https://www.facebook.com/CDHHE  
https://www.deafhoosiers.com/news 
https://www.hearindiana.org
https://iadhoosiers.org     
https://www.inhandsandvoices.org