A Sound Advice seminar in Dublin, “The Link Between Hearing And Speech” (December 5th) explored how we hear with our brains with, and without hearing devices. Strategies for early language development by parents with babies and young children were also shared.
Thirty Million Words
Parallels were seen in the thirty million words concept for hearing and deaf children, with two speakers who had never previously met, describing the exact same approach for home-teaching young children, whether hearing devices were worn or not.
One presentation was given by a co-ordinator from the Early Learning Initiative at National College of Ireland, which profiled on Sound Advice in 2010 as a model of good practice.
Presentation Slides
1. Chrissy Morris (Teacher of the Deaf, US; pre-certified AVT) – How We REALLY Hear
2. Caroline Carswell (Sound Advice founder) – Hearing And Speech: The Essential Link
3. Michelle Moore (Co-ordinator, PCHP) – Presenting The Early Learning Initiative (ELI)
Tools For Parent Education
1. Communication Options Chart for family guidance when children are deaf
2. Tot Ten – The Ten Commandments for Childrens’ Hearing Healthcare
3. Free eBook: Teaching A Deaf Child To Hear And Speak – Perfectly
Why Early Language Development Is Needed
The need for early child language development is highlighted in two media pieces, with one, Parents ‘should be taught how to talk to their children by nursery staff’, running in the UK’s Independent newspaper. The Irish Times also presented early language skills as being most beneficial, naming the Chatter Matters and Happy Talk initiatives as examples.
ELI’s Resources For Early Language Development
- Books for babies and children to read at home.
- Toys for Christmas and as stocking-stuffers.
