By Susan Sehgal, MA, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert AVEd

Reading over the summer (and anytime during the year) builds essential language and vocabulary skills for all children, but especially children with hearing loss. Have fun going to the library, picking out books, and reading together. Follow your child’s lead and you will be amazed at how literacy builds language skills.

Find ways to get your child involved with typical peers so that they can learn social and language skills through these interactions. Arranging play dates, enrollment in sports activities, participating in a parks and recreation activity or summer camps are just a few ways to get your child involved with typical peers. These opportunities expose your child to the enriched language and pragmatic skills offered in natural real-life settings.

Take time for family outings. Going to the zoo, children’s museum, park, or camping provide multiple opportunities for a child’s spoken language skills to continue to grow.