Final answer:
Miss Sullivan spelled "w-a-t-e-r" into Helen Keller's hands to teach her the concept of language, associating the tactile signs with the physical sensation of water, which led to a breakthrough in Helen's ability to communicate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Miss Sullivan repeatedly spelled "w-a-t-e-r" into Helen Keller's hands while pouring water over them to teach Helen the concept of language and the association between the word and the physical sensation of water. This breakthrough moment is when Helen realized that the finger movements her teacher made corresponded to the idea of the cool substance flowing over her hand. This realization was crucial because it marked the beginning of Helen's understanding of language and communication despite her being blind and deaf.
Keller describes this epiphany with eloquence, noting the profound impact it had on her. Miss Sullivan used this method as a form of tactile learning, which proved to be an effective communication bridge for Helen, who could not learn through traditional auditory or visual means. The act of spelling out words while introducing the physical objects those words represented helped Keller to make connections that were pivotal in her education and development.