Play Behavior and Communication Between Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and Their Hearing Peers in an Integrated Preschool

Sixty preschoolers (30 deaf and hard of hearing, 30 hearing) were observed in their integrated school during "centers" and outdoor play. Half the children experienced auditory communication and half total communication modes of communication. All children had known their classmates for six months to three years. It was found that all children preferred to play and communicate with same-hearing status children, however 63% of all children communicated with children of other-hearing status. Amounts of social play and communication differed somewhat between the two communication environments, and context of interaction was related to the behavior and communication of children who were deaf and hard of hearing. Implications are discussed for the education of young children who are deaf and hard of hearing - specifically that educational and social benefits accrue to those who are integrated throughout the school day (across context) and have access to hearing classmates and classmates who are deaf and hard of hearing.