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Sensory Impairment Service (SIS): Tips to Support Your Child's Communication in the Early Years - NNC and WNC

Sensory Impairment Service (SIS): Tips to Support Your Child's Communication in the Early Years - NNC and WNC logo

Description

How To Make Communication Fun and Meaningful for Your Child:

• Make sure your child is wearing their hearing aids/processors (if they’ve been prescribed). Having the TV or radio off makes listening easier.

• Use short sentences with keywords, phrases, or signs (if using) that pertain to their daily routines. For example, washing, getting dressed, eating, playing, etc. Repeat words and phrases many times.

• Get your child’s attention and eye contact by saying their name or holding up a toy.

• Share simple books.

• Sing rhymes and songs.

• If your child is very young, use symbolic sounds for toys. For example, “brmm-brmm” or “quack-quack” because those sounds are easier to hear. Using a ‘sing song’ voice helps.

• If your child is older, give them a reason to communicate with you. For example, they have to ask if they want a snack because they can’t open the cupboard. Or give them a choice between two things (usually food).

• Surround your child with lots of language for what they are doing, where they are going, and what they can see.

• Give your child plenty of fun, simple games that you can all enjoy. You know your child best and what works for them.

Useful Links:

The National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) website

NDCS YouTube channel - Supporting Communication with Deaf Babies and Toddlers

Advanced Bionics website - The BabyBeats™ app stimulates your baby’s senses through musical activities. It can be beneficial for children with a range of hearing devices. Using the app with a vibrating speaker can make it more relevant for profoundly deaf children. Available for iPhone and Android.

Advanced Bionics website - The VocAB Scenes app is designed to help children with hearing loss (aged 4 to 10). It teaches them common vocabulary and question forms through listening (with caregiver or therapist guidance). Available for iPad.

Storyline Online® website - Streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Available via Storyline Online or the App Store.

CBeebies website - Stories from CBeebies Storytime 

Super Simple Songs (Kids’ Songs) YouTube channel 

The Elizabeth Foundation: Let’s Listen and Talk - A learning programme for children aged 0-5. Along with information, the programme provides hundreds of useful games and activities that support listening and talking.

Advanced Bionics and Phonak: The Listening Room

Topmarks website - A range of educational resources

Twinkl website - A range of activities and sheets

British Sign Language (BSL) Links:

British Sign website - Useful resources

Let's Sign website - Let's Sign BSL at DeafBooks

ITV website - Signed Stories in BSL

The National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) website - Family Sign Lanuage

SignStation website - Useful resources

MED-EL YouTube channel - Rehab At Home: Ling Six Sound Test 

CID Professional Development YouTube channel - CID Quick Tips: How to Conduct the Ling Sound Test

 

Locality
  • Brackley Area
  • Corby Area
  • Daventry Area
  • East Northants Area
  • Kettering Area
  • Northampton Area
  • Towcester Area
  • Wellingborough Area
  • North Northamptonshire
  • West Northamptonshire
  • Northamptonshire
Additional languages
Translation and/or Interpreting Available on Request
Age range
Suitable for ages from 0 to 4 years
Referral route
No Referral Needed
For people with
Sensory Impairments
Eligibility criteria
Age Range - Early Years
Provider category
Targeted Services - Additional Support Needs

Address

c/o Sensory Impairment Service (SIS), North Northamptonshire Council, Municipal Offices, Bowling Green Road
Kettering
Northamptonshire
NN15 7QX
United Kingdom

Disclaimer

Publication on the Local Offer does not endorse a provider, so please take reasonable steps to ensure that any service found on the Local Offer is suitable for your family member. For more information, please read our disclaimer.

Last updated 29 May 2024