Supporting Children With NZSL: Building Communication at Home and Beyond

For a child who uses New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), having access to communication isn't limited to particular places, people or appointments. Communication happens throughout the day, at home, at school, with friends, with whānau and out in the community.

When the people around a child understand and support the way they communicate, it can make an enormous difference to their ability to participate, express themselves, learn and build relationships.

Supporting children with NZSL isn't about replacing sign with spoken language. NZSL is a complete language in its own right and one of New Zealand's official languages. The priority is ensuring children have meaningful access to language and opportunities to communicate with the people around them.

Communication is about more than spoken words

It's easy to think about children's communication development in terms of when they say their first word or begin putting sentences together. But communication and language development are much broader than spoken speech.

Children who use NZSL can communicate thoughts, feelings, questions, stories and ideas through sign language, just as children using spoken languages do through speech.

They also use facial expressions, body language, eye gaze, gestures and other visual information as part of communication.

The important question isn't simply "Is my child talking?" but rather:

Does my child have an accessible way to understand language and communicate what they want to say?

Making communication accessible at home

Home is one of the most important places for a child's communication development because so much everyday interaction happens there.

For children who use NZSL, communication needs to be visually accessible.

That might mean making sure you have your child's attention before beginning a conversation, positioning yourself where they can see you clearly and avoiding trying to communicate while facing away from them.

Lighting can matter too. Being able to clearly see another person's face, hands and expressions makes visual communication easier.

Most importantly, give your child opportunities to communicate throughout ordinary family life rather than limiting communication practice to structured activities.

Mealtimes, getting ready for school, playing, shopping, reading and talking about the day can all become opportunities for meaningful interaction.

Give your child time to communicate

Children sometimes need more time to process language, organise what they want to communicate and respond.

It can be tempting for adults to anticipate what a child wants or answer for them, particularly when communication takes a little longer.

Where possible, give your child the opportunity to finish their message.

Showing that you're interested in what they're communicating, rather than how quickly they communicate it, helps make conversations feel worthwhile.

Include siblings and whānau

Communication becomes much easier for a child when more of the important people in their life can communicate with them.

Parents may naturally become the person who understands their child's communication best. But ideally, the child shouldn't always need one parent to interpret or explain what they mean.

Supporting siblings, grandparents, extended whānau and other important people to develop their own NZSL skills can give children more opportunities for direct communication and connection.

It also sends an important message to the child:

The people around you are willing to communicate in a way that works for you.

Supporting communication at school

As children grow, communication demands become increasingly complex.

At school, children need language not only to understand lessons but also to ask questions, explain ideas, solve problems, participate in group activities and build friendships.

A child may communicate confidently in familiar situations at home but find particular environments more challenging.

Teachers, support staff and other professionals involved with the child can work together to understand how the child communicates best and what may make participation easier.

Friendships and social communication matter too

Communication isn't only about learning and following instructions.

Children use language to joke, disagree, negotiate, tell stories, join games, resolve misunderstandings and build friendships.

These interactions can become increasingly subtle as children get older.

A child who uses NZSL should have opportunities to communicate directly with other people and participate meaningfully in social situations, rather than always relying on someone else to communicate on their behalf.

Where can a Speech-Language Therapist fit?

Not every child who uses NZSL needs speech-language therapy.

However, some children may benefit from support with broader areas of communication, language, literacy or social communication.

A Speech Language Therapist may help identify a child's communication strengths and areas where additional support could be useful. This might include understanding and using language, developing literacy skills, navigating social communication or helping the people around the child use strategies that make communication more accessible.

Importantly, this support should respect the child's existing language and communication methods.

Speech-language therapy should complement a child's communication rather than attempt to replace NZSL with spoken language.

Working alongside NZSL and Deaf professionals

Speech-Language Therapists are only one possible part of a child's wider support network.

For children who use NZSL, Deaf and NZSL professionals bring language, cultural knowledge and lived experience that should be recognised and valued.

Depending on the child and family, their wider support network may also include teachers, audiologists, advisers on deaf children and other education or health professionals.

Working collaboratively allows everyone involved to understand the child's individual communication needs while keeping the child and whānau at the centre of decisions.

Supporting your child's communication

There isn't one communication approach that's right for every deaf or hard of hearing child.

Some children primarily use NZSL. Some primarily use spoken language. Others use both, or combine these with other forms of visual communication.

What matters is that children have consistent access to language and an effective way to understand, participate and express themselves.

If you're concerned about your child's broader language, literacy or communication development, a Speech-Language Therapist can help you understand their strengths and whether additional support may be beneficial.

At Talk Together, our Speech and Language Therapists work collaboratively with children, families and the other people involved in their lives. You can learn more about our speech language therapy in Christchurch or contact Talk Together to discuss your child's communication needs.