Toddlers rapidly acquire new language and have the ability to process various forms of communication. Many parents and educators increase toddlers' communication levels by introducing them to sign language. Explain to toddlers that some people cannot hear and must primarily communicate with hand gestures. Practicing sign language with toddlers will help raise awareness of hearing impairments and give them the skills to converse with deaf people in the future.
The toddler stage of child development involves a fascination with sensory stimulation, which presents an opportunity for parents and teachers to explain that some people have vision impairments. Teach about blindness by blindfolding toddlers and leading them around the room or giving them sticks to feel their way around. You can then tell them how blind people often use guide dogs and walking sticks to navigate their surroundings. When introducing the alphabet to toddlers, outline letters with buttons and invite the children to trace over them with their fingers. Explain to them that people who cannot see interpret words by feeling letters.
Young children take notice of people with mobility impairments during the toddler stage. They observe people using wheelchairs, leg braces and walkers and develop curiosities about the need for these mobility aids. Talk with toddlers about various physical handicaps and explain to them how people use tools that assist them in moving around. Invite guest speakers to visit the class, share stories of their special needs and show the toddlers how their mobility assistance devices operate.
Find some books about disabilities at the library and share them with your class of toddlers. Extend the circle time by reviewing good and bad examples of disability etiquette. Remind toddlers that people with disabilities also have feelings and deserve the same treatment as everyone else. Give the toddlers happy and sad face props and ask them to display emotions people will feel as a result of behaviors, such as staring, offering to help, teasing or poking at guide dogs. This lesson will show toddlers that inappropriate words and actions have negative effects on people with disabilities.