listening skills 63
Ways to help your child notice people’s voices
• Talk to your child as you hold her
close. When she is touching your
chest, neck, or cheek she will feel
some vibration from the sound of
your voice.
You’re
getting to be
such a big
girl, Efra.
• As you do things with
your child, make up
sounds that go along
with the activities.
Rub-
a-dub-
dub.
• Say her name often.
Juana! Come to
me, Juana.
• When your child knows her name,
use her name in songs and stories
you make up. This will help catch
her interest.
Once there
was a little
girl named
Seema...
• Talk with your child as often as you can. Use your voice in different
ways. Try stretching words, and add high and low pitches. Use words
that have opposite meanings.
Up... up...
up...
...and
dowwwwn.
A word that stretches a sound (‘dowwwn’)
in contrast with an opposite short word (‘up’) gives
sound clues that help young children understand.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)