Which communication skill is most likely to be learned first by a preschool child who is totally blind?

A preschool child who is totally blind is likely to learn the skill of localizing the speaker's voice by sound and facing the speaker first due to the reliance on auditory cues to navigate their environment and communicate. This skill is foundational for developing social interactions and understanding communication dynamics in their surroundings.

At this stage in development, children are highly receptive to audio stimuli and can quickly learn to associate the direction of sounds with the location of people or objects. By honing in on voices, they can enhance their understanding of social situations, engage in conversations, and express needs or emotions. This skill sets the groundwork for further communication development and allows for more effective social interactions with peers and adults.

In contrast, while reading braille can be an important skill for literacy, it typically requires specific training and is taught later in development. Similarly, using sign language is not suitable for a child who is totally blind, as it relies on visual cues. Asking for assistance is also a crucial communication skill, but it often comes after developing the ability to understand and interact with the sounds and voices in their environment. Therefore, localizing the sound of a speaker is the most immediate and essential communication skill for a preschool child who is totally blind.