1. Communication plays a central role in the film.

How does the film depict the challenges Libby

faces in trying to communicate with her family and the world around her?
 The movie shows that Libby is not a part of the family's daily activities, she is separated
from family members, and her family doesn't understand her. Libby is not able to speak,
and Libby's mom has no information about her deafness so cannot communicate
correctly, she cannot say what she wants, and cannot read lips. The mother wants Libby
to be perfect but doesn’t put her in a position to be successful, she wants Libby to be able
to speak and hear but she does not learn Libby's language.
2. How do the characters of Libby and her teacher, Joanne, evolve throughout the film? What
pivotal moments or interactions contribute to their character development?

 Joanne slowly tries to make friends with Libby, to teach and show Libby sign language
so she is able to speak, starting with simple words like "orange juice". Joanne teaches
Libby about everything outside the house and also shows her how sign language is used
to communicate. Joanne attempts to help her when the mother wants Libby to stop
studying sign language and go to school without special support for her disability.

3. How does the film highlight the value of sign language in Libby's life and the deaf community in
general?

 Libby can easily connect with her family and the world around her after she learns sign
language, helping Libby to show her feelings effectively. The beginning of the short film
shows that Libby is isolated and disconnected from her family, but after she knows sign
language she can express herself and reduce her sense of isolation. The movie introduces
Joanne as a tutor and social worker to help Libby gain an education because if Libby
remains unaware of sign language, she will be severely limited. Also, the movie shows us
the importance of sign language in the deaf community and culture by showing the
transformation in Libby's life after learning sign language. "The Silent Child" serves as a
powerful tool for essential means of communication and a key element of deaf culture.

4. The film touches on the idea of inclusion and the challenges faced by deaf children in
mainstream educational settings. How does the film shed light on the issues of inclusion and
accessibility in education?

 The movie describes the isolation experienced by Libby, a deaf child, as her inability to hear and
speak makes it difficult for her to communicate with her hearing peers and teachers. One of the
main issues in short film is the lack of sign language education that is available to deaf children in
mainstream learning. The film also addresses the lack of training and awareness among teachers
and staff in schools when identifying and supporting students with hearing. Besides, the parent are
also an important part of helping and taking care of children who can be more confident in
communication. "The Silent Child" emphasizes the importance of providing appropriate
communication and support, sign language education and teacher training to ensure that all
students, including the hearing impaired, have equal access to quality education. The film
encourages a broader conversation about the need for inclusive practice in schools and the whole
society.

5. The ending of the film is both powerful and open to interpretation. What do you think the
ending symbolizes?
  At the end of this short film, we see Libby gradually opening up to her social worker Joanne,
through which we can see Joanne's dedication to her work as she tries to teach and guide Libby to
continue sign language. It can be seen that Libby has changed quite a lot after meeting Joanne,
from just a little girl who was always sad and had no "voice" in her family to a happier and more
open-minded girl. On the other hand, the end also shows many new challenges for Libby when
the mother does not try to learn sign language, closing doors for Libby's future. The end of the
short film also highlights the potential for change and the possibility of a more inclusive society
for people willing to learn and also emphasizes communication and its impact on people's lives,
also suggesting that we express ourselves and are understood is a basic human right.

6. How has the film's message influenced or changed your perceptions of the deaf community?

 I don’t have any changed perceptions of the deaf community because I already understand
how hard it is to communicate with people who do not speak your language. I really love to
study languages, especially sign language. I want to learn sign language to help everyone who is
hearing impaired and speech impaired communicate easily with others.