Foundational literacy (2-6 years)
VAANI’s Foundational Literacy Model aims to holistically develop the skills needed for deaf children to succeed academically and socially. The program includes
- Focus Areas: Emphasis is placed on arithmetic skills, communication, language development, motor development, and pre-reading and pre-writing skills to prepare children for formal schooling and first grade. The model is designed to help children explore and interact with the world, enhancing school readiness.
- Parent-Centric Approach: Parents are central to the program. VAANI works to build their capacity in various strategies for effective communication with their deaf child. Training includes sign language and techniques for providing emotional and social support.
- Teaching Strategies: The mother tongue is used as the language of instruction. A variety of methods, including storytelling, role play, news conversations, poems, and picture descriptions, are used to make learning engaging and effective. Teaching materials are designed to enhance visual learning.
By equipping children and parents with these skills, the program helps ensure that the transition to school is smooth and that children are prepared to thrive in a classroom environment.
Parent Infant Program (PIP) is an important part of Foundational Literacy
The Parent Infant Programme (PIP) aims to provide early intervention services to families of hearing-impaired infants, fostering an environment that supports the child’s emerging speech, language, and auditory skills within the home.
PIP is a home-based, family-centred, parent-guided, child-specific program that emphasizes a natural approach to learning. The program brings together infants through preschool-aged children, their parents, family members, and early intervention professionals to work as a team and offer services to help families communicate and bond with their children in the child’s natural environment.
Parents are encouraged to network with other parents, and PIP supports hearing-impaired children and their families in developing their potential in primary areas such as language, literacy skills, growth in world awareness, positive self- esteem, and personal responsibility. The program strives to nurture the child’s overall development while recognizing the importance of the child’s primary relationships with their parents and other family members.
Key Components:
Home-Based Approach
- The program is family-centered, parent-guided, and child-specific, emphasizing learning in the child’s natural environment.
Professional Support
- Early intervention professionals collaborate with parents, family members, and other caregivers to offer comprehensive services tailored to the child’s needs.
Parental Involvement and Advocacy
- Parents are encouraged to network with other parents, share experiences, and learn strategies to support their child’s development
Development Focus
- The program supports primary areas such as language, literacy skills, world awareness, positive self-esteem, and personal responsibility.
Comprehensive Services
- Services include speech therapy, hearing aids, parent training, and emotional support for parents and caregivers.
