AHHHHH – time for school! Where is your backpack, who has made the lunches, why is the dog barking, is Charlie even out of bed yet? Now that we’re fully in the back-to-school routine, mornings are no less crazy just because it’s October. And there may be times you arrive at school with no lunch, no jacket and ooops…no extra batteries for his hearing aid. Darn it!!
Lead Early Interventionist Michelle Graham, M.S., CED, LSLS Cert. AVEd helps us remember that while device wearing for school is super important, don’t neglect the other times too. “Kids who wear their devices all day means they listen all day. Even at breakfast, you can say “Listen! Listen to the shake of the cereal in the box. How much do you think is left?” Getting ready for a bath? Don’t neglect the time before and after the bath. [blockquote type=”left”]”A busy parent may dismiss 20 minutes between the time a child gets out of the bath and goes to bed. However, by not wearing their hearing aids during this time they are missing out on exposure to listening opportunities and language in the bedtime routine that may include clothing and body parts vocabulary, singing of songs, and the “I love yous” exchanged with sweet kisses goodnight”[/blockquote]
Michelle recommends involving kids in the process of making sure they have their device on, having them be active participants in packing batteries and taking care of themselves. Wanna read more strategies and whys? Click here to read the full article.