CLASSROOM SOCIAL BEHAVIOR OF HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN

Abstract

social adaption, long-term relationships, and the development of cognition, emotion and personality in unique and important ways. Children with hearing impairment often have some degree of language and/or speech delay, which is a major factor affecting their social interaction with peers. The present research was aimed at the study of classroom social behavior of hearing impaired children at primary level. The research was descriptive and direct observation method was used to identify the positive and negative social behavior of hearing impaired children exhibited in the classroom and at playground. 50 hearing impaired children including male and female studying in classes I to V of special education centers for children with hearing impairment at Islamabad were selected randomly. A checklist was used to identify the social behavior. The items were developed on the indicators of classroom social behavior of hearing impaired children such as respect of elders, sharing, rebel, aggressive behavior, cooperation, fighting, calm and quiet, follow the instructions, teasing others, and friendly etc.On the basis of research findings it was concluded that most of hearing impaired children respect their elders, remain calm and quite during lesson, do not share their things with other students, do not rebel during lesson. Most of them cooperate with others during group activities, stay away from fighting during group activities, and follow the rules in playing group games. Some of them get angry when other students distract them from their studies, do not tease their friends. The male children immediately become frustrated when they can’t solve a problem and become aggressive (violent) when something goes against their will.It was recommended that creating awareness of classroom social behavior in hearing impaired children can change their behavior positively. Moreover, hearing impaired children should be motivated and encouraged to move in a positive social life.