TACKLIN' Assessment

Investing in Your Child: A Penny for Your Thoughts

Multiple studies have shown that hearing children typically hear 30-40 million words before kindergarten. In a study by Hart and Risley (1999), the amount of listening experience necessary for adequate language development was investigated. In their longitudinal study of children from birth to age 4, they documented the number of person-spoken words heard by this population. The study did not include electronic words heard on the TV, books on tape, or the computer. On average, talkative families spoke 2100 words per hour while quieter families spoke only 600 words per hour. Parents who talked a lot provided more varied vocabulary, complex ideas, subtle guidance, and positive feedback ended up with children who also talked a lot.  Conversely, parents who rarely talked ended up with 3-year-olds who talked a little. These findings can be applied to all deaf and  hard of hearing children regardless of communication methodology. For example, it can be implied that parents who sign more to their child will have children who use sign more than those parents who sign only a little.  Strategies for increasing communication interactions and increasing your word count with your child at home in everyday situations is provided below.

Strategies to Increase Word Count

· Be a “sports commentator” and describe  every detail as your child is doing.  Make your words/signs match not only what the child is doing, but also what they are thinking and feeling. 

· Use self-talk to narrate what you are doing when playing and/or engaging in daily routines with your child.

· Find opportunities throughout the day to read aloud to your child. If you have an older child, you can engage them in partner reading and/or book discussions.

· Sing familiar songs with your child and/or make up your own song to accompany a daily routine.

Check out the Thirty Million Words initiative from the University of Chicago!

 Activities

· Brushing your teeth.                   

· Playing with playdough.           

· Making a snowman.

· Baking cookies.           

· Setting the table.        

· Building an indoor fort.

· Play board and card games.

Create an experience book with photographs or pictures of you and your child doing any of the above activities. Hearing First offers more information on experience books here.

 Cole, E.B. & Flexer, C. (2007). Children with hearing loss developing listening and  talking: birth to six. San Diego: Plural Publishing, INC.

Hart, B., & Risely, T.R. (1999). The social world of children learning to talk.  Baltimore: Brookes.