D/HH Holiday Strategies
A few small changes can make your gathering inclusive!
Strategic Seating
Conversations can be challenging to follow in large groups for individuals with hearing loss. When planning your seating arrangement, consider who will engage your child in conversation or ask your child who they would like to sit next to most!
Advanced Planning
Talk with your child about who is coming. Have conversations in advance about family news and events. Fill your child in on information that may come up during noisy dinner conversations. This will help them follow conversations and also start their own conversations with guests!
Get them involved!
Does your child like to cook? Make decorations? Place cards?
Getting your child involved in the preparation of your holiday celebration will make them feel included and give them something to talk and share about with family, not to mention giving you a chance to spend some quality time with them as you prepare for your holiday celebrations!
Traditions
Is there something your family does every year?
Traditions are predictable and they help to develop understanding of holiday times. If your family doesn't have any major traditions, why not invent some! Talk with your kids and come up with something the whole family can look forward to and plan for together for the future!
Already have traditions? Remind your child of past years. Talking about previous holiday experiences can help give a child context and build excitement for what is to come!
Build in Breaks
Holiday gatherings can be especially overwhelming for family members with hearing loss. Check in! Provide options for a break. Is there a quiet room to read a book or play some quiet games? Bring a bag of preferred activities for your child so they have options if they need to take a break!
ASL Nook - Thanksgiving in ASL