Maternal Reflective Method, sometimes called Oral Reflective Method, is a educational philosophy, developed by Father A. van Uden, an oralist based at the Instituut voor Doven, Sint-Michelsgestel in the Netherlands. The method teaches deaf children how to learn and talk instead of using sign language. According to Van Uden (1977), this has a number of benefits for deaf children,

This Method is based around teaching deaf children to write down everything that is said or conducted in a classroom exercise, activity, or discussion. This helps deaf children enhance their reading, writing, and speech skills. Memory is incredibly important. This is why writing everything down is so important. The memory creates important patterns that can later help people not only read and write but properly verbalise what they need. The Method uses the word maternal because it is referencing how parents and teachers often communicate and talk with toddlers when teaching such children how to speak.

The Maternal Reflective Method involves texts being written by the teacher based upon conversation in class. This immediately gives a greater transparency of meaning as the child will know/recognise the content of the text, making it meaningful, motivational, and relevant. This enriches and reinforces linguistic development. The more writing that is done, the easier it is for deaf children to learn the structure, organisation, and rules of language. This in turn makes it easier for people to learn how to speak as well as develop important critical thinking skills. The text can also be written to the linguistic level of the pupils and vocabulary/language structure can be reinforced in each text. This becomes the reflective element to the Maternal Reflective Method when the children develop their reading skills and learn to understand and compartmentalize the rules of language in a more conscious way. Thus the child’s understanding of language continually develops text upon text. Pupils are also directed to write down everything from teachers’ lectures and lessons to what their peers sign and write. The more that is written, the more that is committed to memory.

The Maternal Reflective Method teaches children that they can do anything other kids can do. This includes speaking, singing, laughing, and just being a child. Thus, the Method not only teaches deaf children important verbal or speech cues but can also enhance their learning and social skills, too, so that they do not always feel different or isolated. This in turn can improve a student’s grades, self esteem, and can provide him or her with more options when it comes to after-school programs and future schools. The Method can continue to be used when they become adults and enter the professional world.

References

• {{cite journal |last1=Janssen |first1=M. J. |last2=Riksen-Walraven |first2=J. M. |last3=Van Dijk |first3=J. P. |title=Toward a diagnostic intervention model for fostering harmonious interactions between deaf-blind children and their educators. |journal=Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness |date=2003 |volume=97 |issue=4 |page=197-214}}

• {{cite journal |last1=Power |first1=D. J. |last2=Wood |first2=H. A. |title=Conversational strategies of teachers using three methods of communication with deaf children. |journal=American Annals of the Deaf |date=1990 |volume=9 |issue=13}}

• {{cite book |last1=Van Uden |first1=A. |title=A World of Language for Deaf Children. Part I Basic Principles: A Maternal Reflective Method. |date=1977 |publisher=Swets & Zeitlinger |location=Amsterdam}}

• {{cite book |last1=Webster |first1=A. |title=Deafness, development and literacy. |date=2017 |publisher=Routledge}}