The Maternal Reflective Method (MRM)

Throughout the school, but particularly in the Primary Department, speech and language are developed using the 'Maternal Reflective Method'.

This is an approach which was developed in a school for the deaf in Holland and while there has been much liaison between our two schools, the method has been adapted and developed to suit the needs and curriculum of St John’s.

Through the MRM approach we aim :

to develop speech and language
to develop reading and writing skills
to develop emotional and social growth

The method is founded on the principle and belief that a deaf child can learn and acquire language in a similar way to a hearing child, although acquisition may be delayed. However, through a process of reflection the deaf child is given additional help to perceive and develop rules of language.

Expanding & Reinforcing Language Skills
Opportunities are sought and taken to seize, expand upon and reinforce language whenever and wherever they occur. The approach requires the teacher to build up and internalise a knowledge of each child’s language so that greater consistency and continuity can take place throughout the school day.

Conversation is the ‘maternal’ aspect of the approach and is based upon how a parent naturally speaks to a child i.e. using meaningful conversation, initially based upon direct experience, the teacher playing a double part, seizing and expanding etc.

Conversations are on-going throughout the department. They may be ‘heart to heart’ conversations or more formal discussions based around the curriculum subjects or linguistic conversations.

One conversation is based around the class topic and regularly used as the basis for further work. This will include a reading text (a written account of the conversation) which in turn forms a basis for reading and language activities. The amount and nature of these activities will vary according to the needs and abilities of the children.