IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES OF THE REFLECTIVE MATERNAL METHOD IN IMPROVING THE COMMUNICATION SKILLS OF CHILDREN WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT

Abstract

Children with hearing impairment experience communication difficulties due to limited access to auditory language input, which often leads to delays in speech and language development compared to hearing children. One approach considered effective in addressing this barrier is the Reflective Maternal Method (Metode Maternal Reflektif/MMR), a language-learning method that imitates the natural communication pattern between a mother and her child. This article aims to examine the implementation strategy of MMR in improving the communication skills of children with hearing impairment. The study was conducted through a systematic literature review of relevant national journal articles. The results show that implementing MMR through the stages of Perdati (heart-to-heart conversation), Percami (ideovisual reading conversation), and Percali (linguistic conversation) can improve both verbal and nonverbal communication skills, enrich vocabulary, and build children's self-confidence. The success of MMR implementation is also influenced by the involvement of teachers, parents, and the surrounding environment. Thus, MMR can serve as an adaptive language-learning strategy alternative for children with hearing impairment.