Playing, Reading and Learning at Home

Reading Regularly to a Young Child with Hearing Loss Families encourage literacy by looking at books, sharing stories, enjoying rhymes and reading aloud with their young child with hearing loss. Being read to daily at a very early age provides numerous learning and social benefits. A child’s listening skills increase from frequent reading sessions. His…

Routines: A remarkable way to learn language Daily routines may seem like tiresome tasks to adults. For preschool children typical routines can be full of discoveries! A family’s daily routines provide regular opportunities for children with hearing loss to use language, listening and speech. Think about what happens on an ordinary day. During certain times…

Follow Your Child’s Lead What: Following a child’s lead is an easy and effective way for parents of children with hearing loss to encourage language. Parents can join in whatever the child is doing and let him decide what to do next. Then the child is likely to explore more, make discoveries and have experiences…

We’re Going on Vacation Any time is a good time to enjoy a trip to visit relatives, to see an historical place, or to explore a different country. No matter where you go, your little preschooler who is deaf or hard of hearing will want to be included in all the fun. What can you…

Thirty-Two Terrific Tasks for Preschool Language Fun Parents can involve their young child with hearing loss in varied activities to encourage communication and thinking. When a child is engaged in interesting experiences, he has many reasons to listen and use language. Conversations can include expressions a child knows and introduce new concepts to nurture curiosity.…

Technology With Tots Young children with hearing loss learn language best through meaningful interactions with others. When they are involved and interested, their language can be strengthened. Young children are intrigued by cell phones, computers, remotes, tablets, GPS, calculators  and other mobile technology. Parents can use their personal devices to encourage their child’s language learning.…

Literacy Everyday Everywhere Literacy begins at infancy. Singing, talking, playing, and laughing with babies nurtures communication. Stories, rhymes, books, games, and songs build early language. A child learns to understand language (spoken and/or sign) and then uses language to learn. Language is the foundation for literacy. Families of children with hearing loss can create emerging…

Let’s Sing Music and singing bring people together. We sing for birthdays, religious or secular celebrations, and we sing just to have fun. Using our voices in song is an important part of life. This is true for your child who has a hearing loss, too. Not only is it fun, but it’s beneficial!  …

Learning to Listen Through Sound Fun Parents help children expand their listening skills by pointing out sounds. Toys, animals, actions, vehicles and other sounds can be explored when they occur. Families can also identify different sounds for their child to notice in their daily routine. Therapists may suggest specific sounds for listening experience. The list…

Including Siblings Family life is always busy. Although you are devoting time and energy to your child with a hearing loss, you want to be available for your other children, too. Each child needs to feel like a valued member of the family. Your positive and loving attitude along with some special moments will keep…