Language and Learning
Information in this section was originally developed by a team that created a website for families focused on "raising deaf kids" (see About Us). The content may have been edited or updated.
Read this section to find out how toddlers grow and learn, and how you can help your child.
You may be very confused as to what to expect from your toddler. What is typical for a toddler? How should you treat your toddler? Will things be different because your toddler is deaf or hard of hearing?
Read these sections to find answers to these questions and more.
How Your Toddler Grows
What to expect Children who are DHH may follow different paths in growing up. This could be because they were born too early or had medical problems. Read this page to learn how your toddler may grow.
How Your Toddler Learns
Toddlers learn from hearing people talk or seeing people use sign language. Learn what kinds of simple, but important things your toddler may be missing out on.
How You Can Help Your Toddler
All toddlers need love and attention. Your toddler is no different. You may have to SHOW your toddler what you mean in addition to saying it. Read this page to learn how to do this.
How Your Toddler Grows: What to Expect
Information in this section was originally developed by a team that created a website for families that focused on "raising deaf kids" (see About Us). Minor edits and updates may have been made.
What you can expect
There is no fixed timeline for each child's development. There are many books that say how your child should develop, but each child will grow in his own way.
Some children who are deaf or hard of hearing may not follow "typical" development in all areas.
- This may be because a child was born too early.
- This may be because a child has medical problems.
- A child who is deaf or hard of hearing may take longer than others to develop language and communication skills for various reasons.
You will learn to communicate often with your child to foster language development!
Write down important steps in your child's life.
This will help you see how much your child is really growing! Write down when and how your child does things for the first time:
- Your child's first smile
- When your child first reaches out for a toy
- The first time your child points
- When your child takes his first steps
- Your child's first words or signs
Keeping a record will help you see how much growth there really is!
Life can be hard before your child develops a language that you use. It's hard for the child who can't hear clearly and who can't speak to tell you what he wants. Other times, the child may not understand what is happening when you change what you're doing. He may become confused when you go someplace unfamiliar. Over time, you will learn strategies for addressing these needs.