Language, Literacy and Social Development

The first few years of a child’s life are considered a “critical period” for developing language. Early hearing screening, identification and quality early intervention services have demonstrated a positive impact on a deaf or hard of hearing child’s language development, vocabulary, learning abilities, cognition (thinking skills) and social-emotional skills. When a child is identified as deaf or hard of hearing, surrounding the family with multiple levels of support throughout a child's journey to language, literacy, and social-emotional development adds to positive outcomes. At Hands & Voices, we like to keep our eye on the "graduate in the cradle."

The Scientific Advisory Board works to summarize the latest evidence-based research findings, identify current resources and training opportunities for infants/toddlers/children identified as deaf or hard of hearing in cognitive, social, and emotional developmental process and developmental milestones. Contributors to the most recent resources found below are the members of the Hands & Voices FL3 Scientific Advisory Board (learn more about them here: https://www.handsandvoices.org/fl3/about-us/lang-lit-advisory.html), Hands & Voices Headquarters’ staff members and Dinah Beams, MA, CED, Consultant, Early Intervention, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services in Colorado.

Below are eight different Parent Tip Sheets created for parents and caretakers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) to use with the support of an Early Intervention provider with experience working with children who are D/HH. Each Tip Sheet briefly describes the developmental process of infants and toddlers post-identified hearing condition for cognitive, social, emotional, language (semantics, syntax-morphology, pragmatics, phonology –auditory and visual), pre-literacy and literacy development. These Tip Sheets provide suggestions for parents and caretakers, for fun, everyday activities to enhance their baby’s development in these aspects! Hang these up on your refrigerator and pick an activity or two to include in your baby’s daily routine or when you are out and about exploring the world.

Click on the links below to access a specific Parent Tip Sheet, or click on the image below for a one-page PDF displaying the collection of the eight Parent Tip Sheets and where to find them.