A child's ability to hear is fundamental to their development, impacting everything from language acquisition and social interactions to overall learning. This post explores the importance of hearing health in the early years and offers practical strategies for creating inclusive, hearing-friendly spaces.
Why is hearing health so important in early childhood?
The first five years of a child's life are crucial for brain development, particularly in areas related to language and communication. Undetected hearing loss, even mild or temporary, can significantly impact a child's ability to learn and interact with the world around them. Early childhood educators play a crucial role in identifying potential hearing difficulties in young children, enabling necessary intervention and support.
What does a hearing-friendly environment look like?
Creating a hearing-friendly environment isn't just about minimising noise; it's about being mindful of how sound impacts all children, especially those with hearing sensitivities or undiagnosed hearing loss. Here are some ideas to consider when arranging the physical space in an early learning setting:
Acoustics: Think about the soundscape of your indoor space. Hard surfaces can create echoes and amplify noise. Introduce soft furnishings like rugs, curtains, and cushions to absorb sound.
Be mindful of competing sounds: Reduce unnecessary background noise including music, fans or air conditioners; and be aware of the volume of conversations. Designate quiet areas where children can retreat from sensory overload.
Assistive technology: Explore the use of assistive technology such as remote microphone systems (FM systems), sound field systems, and interactive whiteboards. These tools can make a significant difference for children with hearing loss.
Visual aids: Use pictorial routines and clear signs together with Key Word Sign to help children understand and communicate.
“Key word sign (KWS) is a tool which can be used to support children with communication difficulties to understand and get their message across to others. KWS can be used to support a young child's understanding, speech, language, communication, and interaction"1.
Creating a hearing-friendly environment benefits all children by reducing sensory overload and promoting better communication. Let's make our early learning settings places where all children can hear, learn, play and thrive!
Find out more
Listen to our podcast Little Ears, Big Impact: Navigating Hearing Health in Children. In this episode, Senior Audiologist Emma Moore delves into crucial topics around children's hearing health, from screening recommendations to understanding the impact of mild hearing loss. Emma shares practical advice for educators and parents on how to support children with hearing impairments, whether permanent or temporary.
Reference:
1. Key Word Sign Australia - https://kwsa.org.au/
Authored by Linda T Harrison
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