Saturday 14/07/90 – Pointed to his ear

Over the weekend Hughan pointed to his ear at the noise of my pressure cooker.

He also brought me the Nesquick (chocolate drink) and a mug – indicating he wanted a Nesquick drink.

(I started this website to help other patents with deaf children through our experience. Our son Hughan was born in 1988 and was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 14 months old. We kept a Diary, so his progress could be tracked between our lessons, as we were living in Gaborone in Botswana and traveled every 3 months to the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town.)

Friday 13/07/90 – Responding to me

Hughan turned around today when he heard me making noises behind him.

Jamie and Hughan played together with the Lego.

We also made play dough.

(I started this website to help other patents with deaf children through our experience. Our son Hughan was born in 1988 and was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 14 months old. We kept a Diary, so his progress could be tracked between our lessons, as we were living in Gaborone in Botswana and traveled every 3 months to the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town.)

Thursday 12/07/90 – Copying the puppy

Hughan has decided he should try and copy the puppy. It was all very sweet.

We visited friends in the afternoon.

(I started this website to help other patents with deaf children through our experience. Our son Hughan was born in 1988 and was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 14 months old. We kept a Diary, so his progress could be tracked between our lessons, as we were living in Gaborone in Botswana and traveled every 3 months to the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town.)

Wednesday 11/07/90 – Half term

It is half term and Jamie is at home for a week. The boys had a great time with the puppy.

(I started this website to help other patents with deaf children through our experience. Our son Hughan was born in 1988 and was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 14 months old. We kept a Diary, so his progress could be tracked between our lessons, as we were living in Gaborone in Botswana and traveled every 3 months to the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town.)

Tuesday 10/07/90 – Our new puppy

Hughan has a plastic horse that he sits on and it has wheels (like a motorbike).

Today Hughan had decided the horse was hungry. He got the dogs bowl and was pretending to feed the horse.

In the afternoon I went and collected a puppy that has been brought to Botswana for us by ‘Pets Travel’ (from Johannesburg). He is a Jack Russell and we have called him Thomas.

Tina, our dog, was so pleased with the idea, she has company at last.

Hughan was also very excited and sat watching them both.

Jamie had been at a friend’s house in the afternoon so he was very excited to see time as well.

(I started this website to help other patents with deaf children through our experience. Our son Hughan was born in 1988 and was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 14 months old. We kept a Diary, so his progress could be tracked between our lessons, as we were living in Gaborone in Botswana and traveled every 3 months to the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town.)

Monday 09/07/90 – Hughan turns around

Play school again.

Hughan has started vocalising with the other children and going off by himself a lot more.

Hughan turned around to Willem calling him.

(I started this website to help other patents with deaf children through our experience. Our son Hughan was born in 1988 and was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 14 months old. We kept a Diary, so his progress could be tracked between our lessons, as we were living in Gaborone in Botswana and traveled every 3 months to the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town.)

Saturday 07/07/90 – Toy motorbike

Over the weekend Jamie and Hughan had some very good moments together.

I walked into the lounge on one occasion and Jamie had put knee pads gloves and a helmet on Hughan.

We have a motorbike that sits on the carpet, it has a screen with a motorbike on it and they can vary the speed on the screen, it has indicators and front lights (as in the photo), and Hughan was driving.

Then it was Jamie’s turn and they swapped over.

(I started this website to help other patents with deaf children through our experience. Our son Hughan was born in 1988 and was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 14 months old. We kept a Diary, so his progress could be tracked between our lessons, as we were living in Gaborone in Botswana and traveled every 3 months to the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town.)

Friday 06/07/90 – a new friend

We didn’t go to play school today. Instead, a friend brought her son (who has normal hearing) to play in the morning. Hughan had not met him before and we were amazed at how the children were communicating.

They shared Smarties (chocolate sweets) and sat together to have tea and a biscuit. Hughan sat down and patted the carpet next to him and his friend knew exactly what he wanted and went over to join him.

They played with the Duplo and held hands at times.

(I started this website to help other patents with deaf children through our experience. Our son Hughan was born in 1988 and was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 14 months old. We kept a Diary, so his progress could be tracked between our lessons, as we were living in Gaborone in Botswana and traveled every 3 months to the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town.)

Thursday 05/07/90 – matching colours

We matched colours in our lesson today.

In the afternoon we went to friends for tea.

(I started this website to help other patents with deaf children through our experience. Our son Hughan was born in 1988 and was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 14 months old. We kept a Diary, so his progress could be tracked between our lessons, as we were living in Gaborone in Botswana and traveled every 3 months to the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town.)

Wednesday 04/07/90 – painted a clock.

Play school in the morning. Hughan painted a clock. Every play school day the children start the day painting or sticking pictures.

I also took the camera along to show you what we get up to while we are there.

We went to the farm in the afternoon.

(I started this website to help other patents with deaf children through our experience. Our son Hughan was born in 1988 and was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 14 months old. We kept a Diary, so his progress could be tracked between our lessons, as we were living in Gaborone in Botswana and traveled every 3 months to the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town.)