Parents – Your Child’s First Teachers

As a parent, you guide, nurture and support your children in all aspects of life, especially their education. That role extends to the iHear program, where you are an active participant, educator, and advocate through partnership with your iHear therapist.

iHear – The Coaching Model

iHear is a powerful and effective therapy for your child and is also a resource for you as a parent. Throughout your child’s therapy, you learn valuable, techniques to maximize your child’s learning in all aspects of life. You will actively partner with your iHear therapists in each session and between-session activities developed by your therapist specifically for your family, to further your child’s progress. With guidance and support from your iHear team, you will coach your child through the learning process and work with your therapist to monitor progress.

The iHear program leverages the coaching model to maximize outcomes for each child. As a parent, you learn to implement strategies for your child that work in the context of real life activities. You are empowered to teach other family members techniques that will continue the iHear learning process throughout each day. That knowledge can also be shared with teachers and staff at your child’s school, allowing you to advocate for changes in curriculum or everyday practices. iHear’s coaching model expands your child’s therapy well beyond the time spent with your iHear therapist in scheduled sessions. In essence, your child’s therapy takes place all day, every day – making for successful outcomes.

Maximize Your Child’s Education At Home!

There are many practices that can enhance your child’s experience with iHear:

  • Talk to your child… think of yourself as a play-by-play announcer for your child’s daily life. Narrate everything that happens, everything you see, so that your child hears the words and gains comprehension of those words. Next, work with your child to say those words back to you.
  • Remind your child to listen… when there is a dog barking, a knock at the door, an alarm clock ringing, or any other sound that occurs in daily life, bring those sounds to your child’s attention. Continue to point them out when they occur.
  • Sing… music is engaging, fun, and can be a very effective part of your child’s therapy. Play age appropriate music for your child and participate in the rhythm, pitch, and sounds of the song. These sing-along sessions can help further develop speech skills.
  • Engage your child… meet your child right where they are, whether it’s at the dinner table or hiding under the bed. If your child stops communicating, don’t be tempted to stop talking and stop teaching. Leverage the techniques you learn through iHear, and keep talking, singing, or dancing!
  • Prioritize sounds… do a listening walk-through of your home and help your child identify background sounds, and those which should be tuned out when listening and communicating. Examples to point out to your child could include the hum of an air conditioner, refrigerator, or the chatter of television.