Language development in normal hearing infants occurs through a combination of exposure to language and interaction with others. Here’s a simple explanation:
Think of a baby’s brain like a sponge. They are constantly soaking up new information and experiences from their surroundings, including the language they hear. As they listen to the sounds and speech of those around them, their brain starts to form connections and understand the patterns of language. Over time, as they continue to listen and interact, they start to form their own speech and language skills.
For parents considering cochlear implants for their child, early implantation is important because it allows the child to start soaking up language and speech as early as possible. The earlier a child receives a cochlear implant, the more time they have to start forming these connections and understanding the patterns of language. This can greatly improve their chances of developing language and speech skills similar to those of their hearing peers.
It’s important to note that early implantation is just one part of a comprehensive approach to improving language and communication skills for deaf children. Other factors such as early intervention, education, and access to sign language and other communication tools can also play a crucial role in developing language and communication skills.
For parents of deaf infants, there are several steps that can be taken to foster language development in the 9 months to a year before the infant can receive cochlear implant surgery. Here’s a simple explanation:
Think of language development like planting a seed. The more you nurture and care for the seed, the more it will grow and flourish. In the same way, there are steps parents can take to encourage language development in their deaf infant.
Use Sign Language
Sign language is a visual form of communication that can help infants understand and express themselves before they can speak. Parents can learn basic sign language and start using it with their infant from an early age.
Resources:
- Baby Sign Language Dictionary: A comprehensive guide to basic sign language, including videos and illustrations.
- Signing Time: A series of DVDs and videos that teach sign language to infants and children.
- ASL Pro: An online resource for learning American Sign Language, including a dictionary and lessons.
- The Complete Guide to Baby Sign Language: A book that provides step-by-step instructions for using sign language with infants.
- Sign2Me Early Learning: A program that offers sign language classes and resources for parents and caregivers.
- The Bravos: A cheesy, outdated but super effective mini series of ASL lessons following a deaf family
Activity Ideas:
- Use sign language when speaking to your infant, such as signing “milk” when offering a bottle.
- Sing songs and nursery rhymes using sign language.
- Play games that incorporate sign language, such as a treasure hunt where the child must find objects by following sign language cues.
- Read books with sign language illustrations and encourage your child to sign along.
- Create a sign language routine, such as signing “goodnight” and “I love you” before bed.
These resources and activities can help busy parents easily incorporate sign language into their daily routines and encourage language development in their deaf infant.
Read to Your Infant
Reading to your infant, even if they can’t understand the words, helps to expose them to the sounds and rhythm of language. This can help lay the foundation for future language development.
Resources:
- Your local library: Most libraries have a large selection of children’s books, including board books for infants.
- Amazon: A wide selection of children’s books, including board books and audio books, can be purchased or rented through Amazon.
- Project Gutenberg: A free online library with over 60,000 children’s books that can be downloaded and read on a variety of devices.
- Audible: An online resource for downloading and listening to audio books, including children’s books.
- Goodreads: A website and app for finding and sharing book recommendations, including children’s books.
Activity Ideas:
- Read to your infant every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
- Use a soft, soothing voice and make eye contact with your infant while reading.
- Encourage interaction by pointing to pictures and asking questions about the story.
- Create a bedtime routine that includes reading a book before sleep.
- Read a variety of books, including picture books, board books, and audio books.
By incorporating these resources and activities into their daily routines, busy parents can encourage a love of reading and language development in their infant.
Encourage Interaction
Encouraging interaction with your infant, such as playing and talking with them, can help to stimulate language development. This can include making eye contact, using facial expressions, and responding to their sounds and gestures.
Resources:
- Your local parenting group or playgroup: Many communities have groups for parents and infants that offer opportunities for socialization and interaction.
- Online parenting forums: Online forums, such as Babycenter or What to Expect, provide a space for parents to connect and share experiences.
- Parenting classes: Many communities offer parenting classes, including classes specifically for parents of infants.
- Baby and toddler music and movement classes: These classes offer a fun and interactive way for parents and infants to bond and play together.
- Local parenting events: Many communities host events for parents and infants, such as storytime at the library or playdates at local parks
Activity Ideas:
- Make eye contact and talk to your infant while playing, feeding, and changing their diaper.
- Use facial expressions and exaggerated movements to engage your infant’s attention.
- Encourage your infant to play and explore by providing age-appropriate toys and objects.
- Take turns with your infant, such as passing a toy back and forth or taking turns making silly faces.
- Get down on the floor and play with your infant, such as rolling a ball back and forth or crawling together.
By incorporating these resources and activities into their daily routines, busy parents can encourage interaction and bonding with their infant, which can help to stimulate language development and build a strong, positive relationship.
Additional Resources for Busy Parents:
- Podcasts: There are many podcasts for children, including stories, songs, and educational content
- Youtube: A wealth of videos for children, including songs, stories, and educational content.
- Online radio stations: Many online radio stations offer children’s programming, including stories and songs.
- Children’s music CDs: A wide selection of children’s music CDs is available for purchase or through streaming services.
- Educational TV shows: Many educational TV shows for children, such as Sesame Street, are available for streaming or on DVD.
Activity Ideas
- Play audio books and children’s music while your infant is awake and playing.
- Watch educational TV shows and videos with your infant.
- Listen to podcasts and online radio stations while doing chores or running errands.
- Sing songs and nursery rhymes to your infant.
- Have conversations with others in the presence of your infant to expose them to the sounds and patterns of language.
- By incorporating these resources and activities into their daily routines, busy parents can help to surround their deaf infant with language and improve their chances of developing language and speech skills.