NYSDD Lending Library
Parenting Support
This section of the lending library touches base on several issues of general parenting and family issues that may arise. The issues vary from parenting tips for raising young children, to helping your child with schoolwork. There are also books that discuss the ever changing structure of today’s families. We have a collection of books that speak directly to the involved, including the Individual's with Disability Education Act (IDEA) and disability laws as they pertain to individuals who are deaf (and the families).
Discipline
Don’t you wish discipline could be as easy as 1,2,3? It can be if you tried the awardwinning book and video called 1,2,3 Magic. Another popular item is S.O.S Help for Parents. This collection comes in the form of book, workbook, and audio CD. The Lending Library also has books that talk about assertive discipline and techniques you could use effectively in your home. Depending on your parenting style, we are sure to have something that fits your needs.
Literacy
Achieving a high degree of literacy is a challenge for many deaf individuals
across the nation. It has been documented that the average deaf adult reads
at a 3rd-4th grade reading level. It is impossible to know exactly why,
but we know one thing for certain; for a deaf child to develop a high degree
of literacy they must start at a young age. The Lending Library offers many
stories and accompanying cassettes. That your child will love. Some popular
stories include:
- Clifford’s Christmas
- Clifford’s Halloween
- Where the Wild Things Are
- A Day in the Life of a Teacher
- Can You Hear a Rainbow
We also have several video’s and activity workbooks that point out strategies to help your deaf child become a more avid reader. These materials are a “must borrow” for any parent or family member concerned about literacy and their deaf child. As always, the workbooks and activity books have fun ways to make learning and reading fun not just for your child but also for the entire family.
Sign Language
For many students at NYSSD, sign language is their natural mode of communication. Therefore, we as educators and support staff feel it is critical that parents, relatives, and friends have the opportunity to learn or enhance their sign language skills by providing material to you. In our lending library you will find the widely used Bravo series on videotape. Another popular tool is the Signing Times DVD’s that allow you to learn basic sign language. This is an excellent group of DVD’s and audio CD’s to help your young hearing children become interested in the third most used language in the United States today, American Sign Language. Our library has materials for all ages and all levels of signing ability. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of these excellent learning materials for you and your family.
Hearing aids/Cochlear Implants
In today’s world there are many viable options for Deaf and Hard of hearing children to acquire language. Technology has made a huge impact in the lives of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. Hearing aids have more power and are smaller than those in the past and Cochlear Implants have become increasingly popular. We fully understand that this is a personal choice that every family must make. We have information that can help you go through the journey of deciding whether or not to proceed with a Cochlear Implant. We are also able to provide information about Auditory/ Oral training and hearing aids so that children can utilize their residual hearing.
Deaf Experience
Currently over 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents in the
United States. Understandably, many parents are not familiar with deafness
and the idea that there is even a Deaf Culture. The Lending Library has
several books that discuss Deaf cultural experiences; individuals that identify
themselves as Oral deaf as well as Deaf Culture. A few popular titles include:
- Deaf Presidents now
- Movers and Shakers
- Sharing Ideas from Gallaudet
Special Needs
It is a fact that many deaf children are born with other disabilities,
which could include Autism to ADHD. The United States Department of Education
reports that nearly 1.3% of all students with disabilities received special
education services due to some type of hearing impairment in the year 2002
alone. The Lending Library addresses some of these disabilities, along with
deafness in general. Some books that might be of interest include:
- Children’s Prescription Drugs
- How to Teach and Reach ADD/ADHD Children
- A Deaf Persons Adjustment to Ushers
- Family Centered Care for Children Needing Specialized Health and Developmental Service
Family Games
Despite the popularity of Video games, We are seeing an increase in families
using board games to spend more time with their children. To promote this
idea of quality time, the Lending Library has several family games on hand
for the rainy days and relaxing afternoons.
- Guesstures
- 20 Questions
- Apples to Apples
- Apples to Apples Jr.,
- ASL Bingo
- Yahtzee
- Scrabble
- Upwords
- Monopoly
These games are not only fun to play, but they are also educational for deaf children. These fun games can teach problem solving, math skills, taking turns and even cooperation. We also have games for the family that are designed specifically for learning American Sign Language.