You’ve probably heard that the early years of your child’s life are the most important for building strong language skills. That’s because your child’s brain is developing extremely fast during this time, and he’s more open to learning and more receptive to enriching experiences than he will ever be.

Link: http://www.hanen.org/Helpful-Info/When-You-Are-Concerned/Starting-Early.aspx

November 9 was National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day. Learn more at the link below.

THINK ABOUT… It is important for children with hearing loss to strengthen their ability to listen to what someone is saying, and then remember what was said. This is called auditory memory. One way to strengthen auditory memory is through sequencing activities.

http://heartolearn.org/materials/docs/E22_Clip%20a%20Cookie%20Activity%204.19.17.pdf

For those who are deaf, music is not just about sound. At age 20, Rachel Kolb received cochlear implants that gave her partial hearing. In virtual reality, experience how music felt for her, before and after.

Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/03/opinion/cochlear-implant-sound-music.html?_r=0

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is pleased to announce the launch of CDC’s Milestone Tracker – a free app for tracking every child’s development in a fun and easy way. This app adds to the popular suite of free, family-friendly materials available through CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. program.

“Skills like taking a first step, saying those first words, and waving ‘bye-bye’ are developmental milestones all parents anticipate and celebrate,” said CDC Director Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D.  “This CDC Milestone Tracker app gives parents tips to help their child learn and grow, a way to track developmental milestones, recognize delays, and the ability to share this information with their healthcare provider.”

The new app offers

• Interactive milestone checklists for children ages 2 months through 5 years, illustrated with photos and videos
• Tips and activities to help children learn and grow
• Information on when to act early and talk with a doctor about developmental delays
• A personalized milestone summary that can be easily shared with the doctor and other care providers
• Reminders for appointments and developmental screening

Learn more and get information on downloading the app at CDC’s Milestone Tracker website. The app is available in the  App Store and on Google Play.

Although it is packed with parent-friendly features, this app isn’t just for parents! Healthcare providers can use it to help with developmental surveillance as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and early care and education providers can use it to better understand their students’ skills and abilities and to engage families in monitoring developmental progress.

Link: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones-app.html

Black and Latino children with developmental delays are much less likely— 78 percent less — than white children to receive the early intervention services they need, according to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

In a study published earlier this month, researchers attempt to figure out the possible reasons why.

Your child can learn about his or her hearing devices beginning at a very young age. As part of this, it is important for your child to learn about how to care for the hearing devices, as well as develop self-advocacy skills that will be useful as your child gets older.

http://heartolearn.org/materials/docs/E31_Crazy%20Container.pdf