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

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