Planning and Implementing a Parent-Toddler Group

The importance of parents’ participation in the intervention process of their child who is deaf or hard of hearing has been well documented. To provide families with increased opportunities to practice auditory-teaching strategies, Hearts for Hearing developed Listening for Littles, a parent-toddler group. The family’s participation in the parent toddler group has provided a better understanding of auditory teaching strategies and their use during small listening and language learning groups. These listening and language learning groups are facilitated by a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist, Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist (LSLS, Cert. AVT). The family has opportunities to practice the strategies under the guidance of the LSLS Cert. AVT and benefit from the support and encouragement from other families of children with hearing loss who are also navigating the path of teaching their toddler to learn to listen and talk. Additionally, a weekly home activity is provided which targets opportunities to implement the auditory teaching strategy within a specific play routine. It is also paramount that each toddler’s hearing technology be in working order to succeed in listening and language learning. Another unique aspect of this model is the support an audiologist lends to young toddlers when listening and learning language in small group settings.

This is a Recorded Course which requires either a Windows-based computer or a Mac with speakers/headphones to view. More information is available in the FAQs/Help section.

Length: 60 minutes

Cost: Free to View

Course Objectives:

• Upon completing this course, learners will be able to describe the importance of integrating auditory-verbal teaching strategies into parent toddler groups.
• Upon completing this course, learners will be able to list five considerations that should be taken into account when planning parent toddler groups.
• Upon completing this course, learners will be able to list the different adult learning styles to consider in maximizing parent learning in parent toddler groups.
• Upon completing this course, learners will be able to list three strategies to maximize parent involvement in parent toddler groups.
• Upon completing this course, learners will be able to identify solutions to maximize the primary auditory signal in group listening environments.

Course Instructor(s):
Tamara Elder, M.S., CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT, Hearts for Hearing, Oklahoma City