Resources for parents
This page offers a range of resources for parents about the development of deaf children during the preschool years.
Welcome to our parent resources page
The resources on this page providing information and advice for parents about the development of preschool deaf children, with a particular focus on listening, speech and language skills.
These resources for parents are under a process of continuous development, and we will publish new resources on this page as they become available.
Alongside the resources on this page developed specifically for parents, you can also find other useful information and advice elsewhere in this Resource hub, in particular:
- our Foundations for Communication articles
- our Guidance papers
- our Video library
- our Glossary
- our British Sign Language (BSL) library
Ways to play – how to develop your child’s language by being a great ‘playmate’
This 26 minute presentation explains how using the O.W.L.ing approach can naturally create opportunities for developing language skills during play. It also includes video examples of different parental communication styles. Version with closed captions (click on the CC button if necessary to view).
Video resources
Ways to play – how to develop your child's language by being a great 'playmate'
This 26 minute presentation explains how using the O.W.L.ing approach can naturally create opportunities for developing language skills during play. It also includes video examples of different parental communication styles. Version with closed captions (click on the CC button if necessary to view).
Using books and imaginative play with preschool deaf children (closed captions)
This 14 minute presentation outlines how books and imaginative play can help preschool deaf children of all language levels. It provides practical tips and advice on ways to open up the world for your preschool deaf child using their “creative tool box”. Version with closed captions (click on the CC button if necessary to view).
Building Language (closed captions)
In this 8 minute parent education video, Speech and Language Therapists from The Elizabeth Foundation explain simple ways you can “build” language for young deaf children. Version with closed captions (click on CC button if necessary to view).
Maths in an Early Years Reception Class (closed captions)
In this 13 minute presentation, a Teacher of the Deaf explains what to expect in terms of mathematics and number in an Early Years Reception Class, and how to prepare your deaf child prior to their start at school. Version with closed captions (click on CC button if necessary to view).
An introduction to speech and language (open captions)
In this 5 minute parent education video, Speech and Language Therapists from The Elizabeth Foundation provide an introduction to speech and language development for young deaf children. Version with open captions.
Joining in: O.W.L.ing and special time (open captions)
In this 7 minute parent education video, Speech and Language Therapists from The Elizabeth Foundation provide an explanation of how parents can use O.W.L.ing and special time to develop the speech and language skills for young deaf children. Version with open captions.
Other parents share their experiences
Effects on family life
Our parents consider how their child’s deafness has impacted on their family life – in particular their relationship with their other children and their partner.
Hear from parents of deaf children
Videos of parents of deaf children discussing a range of issues
Meet our parents
Our parents introduce themselves in this video and talk about their deaf child, their type of deafness and their child’s hearing technology (hearing aids or cochlear implants).
Feelings after your child's deafness was first identified
In this video, some of our parents talk about their feelings after they were first told that their child was deaf
Being your deaf child’s advocate
Our parents describe how, over time, they have gained the information, skills and confidence to be their deaf child’s advocate.
Our parents talk about how they receive support from other parents and their frends and family
In the second video, our parents discuss the vital support provided by the friends and family, and by other parents of deaf children.
Our parents talk about how professionals support them
In the first of these two videos, our parents talk about the support they receive from professionals such as their Teacher of the Deaf and their audiologist.
Dealing with comments
Our parents describe how they deal with comments from strangers when out and about.
Effects on family life
Our parents consider how their child’s deafness has impacted on their family life, in particular their relationship with their other children and their partner.
Our parents give advice to themselves
We asked our parents what piece of advice they would give themselves if they could go back in time to when their child’s deafness was first identified.
Poem to parents of babies whose deafness has just been identified
A poem of words of advice for parents of children whose deafness has just been identified, written and spoken by parents of deaf children who have attended The Elizabeth Foundation’s preschool intervention programme.
Advice for new parents
If you have recently been told that your child is deaf, we know that this can often be unexpected and unsettling, and that you will have many questions and concerns.
The ‘Advice for new parents‘ page on The Elizabeth Foundation website will hopefully reassure you and provide answers to some of the questions parents of commonly ask us after they find out that their child is deaf.
On the ‘Advice for new parents’ page we also explain the wide range of face-to-face and online services we offer to support families with young deaf children like yours.
Top tips – videos
These short and informative video presentations provide information about simple techniques parents can use to help their deaf child develop their listening and language skills.
Top Tip – Reading Together
Charlotte Emery, Speech and Language Therapist at The Elizabeth Foundation talks through the top tip of “Reading Together”.
Top Tip – Quiet time
Charlotte Emery, Speech and Language Therapist at The Elizabeth Foundation introduces the top tip – “Quiet Time”.
Top Tip – "Catching" Language
Charlotte Emery, Speech and Language Therapist at The Elizabeth Foundation talks through the top tip of “Catching Language” – how to help your child “catch” the words you are saying.
Top Tip – Speech Sound Safari
In this Top Tip, our Speech and Language Therapist explains how to go on a “Speech Sound Safari” to introduce new speech sounds to your child.
Top Tip – Highlighting Words
Charlotte Emery, Speech and Language Therapist, explains the top tip of “Highlighting Words” – how to highlight particular words in your conversations with your child to help them learn particular key words.
Listen – Sounds around the house
A short illustrated story by Charlotte Emery, Speech and Language Therapist at The Elizabeth Foundation, to help you and your child listen to everyday sounds in the home.
Other resources
Early communication … it’s never too early to start
As soon as they are born, babies start communicating. Even children with profound deafness are keen to communicate with you right from infancy.
Read more
You have been told your baby is deaf … now what?
You may have just learned that your baby has a diagnosis if deafness. Your baby, so very young and precious, may be your first child, and his or her deafness very possibly came as a great shock.
Read more
Building communication
Your baby uses their verbal and nonverbal communication skills to express their feelings, needs and wants. The way you respond to your baby’s communication can help them to develop their attention skills.
Read more
Creating opportunities for learning
As you talk with your child during their play and daily routines, you are giving them valuable practice in listening to the sound and rhythm of your voice as well as other relevant sights and sounds.
Read more
Encouraging and supporting your child’s early communication skills
The majority of your child’s learning during their early years takes place as you talk to them. By talking to your child, you will help them learn much about their home and the surrounding world in which they live.
Read more
Talking about everyday activities
Everyday activities provide an ideal opportunity for you to repeat the same words and short phrases in similar situations so your baby will gradually learn what they mean and eventually be able to make a response.
Read more
Foundations for communication
‘Foundations for communication’ is a new series of in-depth resources from The Elizabeth Foundation providing tips, advice and guidance about the communication development of preschool deaf children.
Each of our ‘Foundations for communication’ articles looks in detail at a specific topic, enabling parents and professionals to support deaf children in developing their listening, speech and language skills.
These resources are under a process of continuous development, and we will publish new resources on our website as they become available.