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SUPPORTING THE HEARING IMPAIRED
When students feel included, they do better in school and take that confidence outside of school as well. Sometimes it’s hard for us to include others or to feel included because of a difference in life experience or perspective. However, when we take the time to understand each other, everyone’s lives are enriched.
An often misunderstood or overlooked way of life includes the lives of those who are Deaf or hard of hearing. According to the Office for Disability Issues, there are about 4,599 Deaf people in New Zealand and about 20,000 people who use New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). Parents who use NZSL to communicate with their Deaf or children are included in the 20,000. Comparing the number of Deaf people and the five million people populating New Zealand, it’s easy to see how the Deaf can feel detached from the communities around them – even when at school.
Inclusive Education, a Ministry of Education initiative, suggests that educators do the following to encourage inclusivity in their schools: • Ask the student what will help them succeed in their studies
• Team up and regularly communicate with the learners’ family • Make assessment and monitoring a part of your teaching rhythm • Connect students with other resources that might be helpful to them.
Some of the suggestions are selfexplanatory but others not so much. For example, when asking students about what will help them to succeed at school, Inclusive Education suggests creating a learner profile with the student. The learner profile is helpful in two ways especially because it gives the student the opportunity to share their aspirations and the obstacles preventing them from reaching their educational goals. Also, for educators unfamiliar with the New Zealand Deaf community, connecting Deaf and hard of hearing students with resources outside of school can be a difficult task. A good place to start is the Deaf Aotearoa website.
There you can connect students and their families to helpful resources like Deaf Aotearoa’s Hauora service which is described as a holistic approach based on the Māori concept of wellbeing.
Sign Language Week 2021
NZSL is one of New Zealand’s official languages along with English and Te Reo Māori. Another way to make learners who are Deaf or hard of hearing feel included is by celebrating the Deaf community through learning NZSL – even if it’s just basic words or greetings. This year, Sign Language Week takes place 10-16 May. Everyone can participate in Sign Language Week. Groups that have participated in the past include city libraries, Fire Emergency NZ and schools across the country.
Just as there are many spoken languages, there are many different types of sign languages.
In 2006, the New Zealand Government acknowledged New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) as an official sign language alongside English and Te Reo Māori. Celebrate New Zealand’s Deaf community and be a part of this year’s Sign Language Week, taking place 10-16 May 2021. Resource materials can be found on www.nzsl.org.nz.
The New Zealand Sign Language Week website has resources like posters and informational booklets which can help event participants learn things like the NZSL alphabet or gain a better understanding of what it is like to be Deaf. For more information, visit nzslweek.org.nz.
60 | Term 2, 2021 www.principalstoday.co.nz
Staying hydrated
We all need to have enough fluid to be able to function at our best.
In particular, children are at risk of dehydration, especially when in hot weather and when they are exercising. But here’s the thing about hydration – by the time they feel thirsty they are probably already dehydrated – so it’s up to teachers and care givers to ensure they are drinking enough. As well as being less heat tolerant than adults, young children have a higher proportion of body water than adults, making them less heat tolerant and more likely to get dehydrated, especially when being physically active and in hot climates.
Encouraging children to drink fluids regularly is important as they may not remember to have a drink themselves.
Water works
Water is the best choice of fluid to combat dehydration. Avoid sports drinks, fruit juices, soft drinks and flavoured mineral waters, since they all contain sugar and are acidic, which can lead to tooth decay. The recommended daily intake of water for children is:
• 5 to 8 years old: 5 glasses (1 litre) • 9 to 12 years old: 7 glasses (1.5 litres) • 13 years old and over: 8 to 10 glasses (2 litres). Remember that children need even more water when they are exercising. They should drink before, during and after physical activity – even if they aren’t thirsty.
Tips to help kids stay hydrated
• Make sure they always pack a water bottle
• Choose water rather than sugary or fizzy drinks • Remind them to drink before a sports game • Encourage them to have a few mouthfuls of water during any breaks in the game • Make sure they have a big drink afterwards to make up for any sweat they have lost.
The warning signs of dehydration
Mild dehydration can be treated by giving a child more to drink. But serious dehydratiown – for example, if they are unwell – can be very serious. It’s important to know what to look out for. If a child has a fever, diarrhoea, or vomiting, or is sweating a lot on a hot day or during intense physical activity, watch for signs of dehydration.
These include:
• A dry or sticky mouth • Few or no tears when crying • Eyes that look sunken • Peeing less or fewer wet diapers than usual • Dry, cool skin • Irritability • Drowsiness or dizziness.
