14: Keeping up with your child

18: Clear Speech in Your Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child

In this essential eighteenth episode, Shefali Shah takes us on an auditory journey, sharing authentic sound bites from her own AVT practice. We listen in as infants and toddlers progress through the natural stages of pre-speech: from early vocal play, to babbling,  jargon, imitation and first words as they thrive in environments that support their listening, learning and talking. The episode offers a rich understanding of how listening, language, and speech are closely intertwined. Talking is the outcome of a consistent period of listening time. Language and speech development follow a universal hierarchy in which listening precedes speech. Speech sounds too follow a natural sequence, with early emerging speech sounds invariably preceding and preparing for the emergence of later developing sounds.  A couple in Shefali’s online practice, shares their delight in the emergence of intelligible speech in their cochlear-implanted toddler as they discover that there is a universal order to the production of speech sounds and learn what to expect and how to monitor and support their daughter’s age-appropriate speech development. Clear speech is the result of diligent preparation. This is The Sound Steps Podcast. 🎧 Top Tips from Episode 18 * Clear speech emerges from clear listening: Ensure your child has optimal access to sound with well-functioning hearing devices. * Talking precedes listening: Talking is the outcome of a consistent period of listening time. * Train your child’s listening: The presence of hearing loss means that your child needs to be trained to listen, even with modern hearing technology. * Your baby will talk when she is ready to talk: The simple and daily acts of swallowing and chewing strengthen and prepare your baby’s oral mechanism for speech. * Pre-Speech development: Vocalisations, babbling and Jargon precede first words. * Follow the natural stages of development of Speech sounds: There is a universal order to the development of speech sounds.                                                                              Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:10 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents 00:01:25 Choosing Auditory-Verbal Therapy for your deaf or hard of hearing child 00:01:50 AVT facilitates age-appropriate development 00:02:02 Abundant choices open up through AVT 00:02:47 Early identification and the fitting of early and optimal amplification. 00:02:53 A life free of limitations 00:03:06 Introduction to this episode 00:03:42 Show notes, Top tips and Time Stamps 00:03:54 Links and contact details 00:04:00 Resources 00:04:45Development in infants with typical hearing  00:05:19 We talk as we hear 00:06:34 Talking presupposes listening 00:09:39 Your baby will talk when she is ready to talk 00:09:56 Speech readiness 00:11:40 Pre-speech development 00:13:29 Vocalisations 00:14:10 Babbling 00:15:01 Vocalisation Vs Babbling 00:15:27 Delayed or absent babbling 00:15:53 Babbling develops with social interaction 00:17:18 Jargon 00:20:08 First words 00:20:24 new word combinations emerge 00:21:08 Sentences emerge 00:21:30 Conversation is both the base plate and the apex of the Spoken language development  00:22:40 The Hierarchy of speech sound production 00:25:10 Monitor your growing child’s speech development 00:29:19 Engaging your baby through Conversation  00:29:46 Reflection 00:30:57 Our next episode: Noisy Spaces Resources: * 💬 Submit your question to the show: https://www.soundsteps.uk/podcast-ask-question/ [https://www.soundsteps.uk/podcast-ask-question/] * 👩‍⚕️ Face-to-face AVT with Shefali Shah (London): https://soundsteps.uk [https://soundsteps.uk] * 🌐 Online AVT sessions available via AVT Direct: https://avtdirect.com [https://avtdirect.com] * 🎓 Train online as an LSL professional in AVT: https://learnavt.com [https://learnavt.com] * 📧 Contact Shefali directly: shefalishah@soundsteps.uk [shefalishah@soundsteps.uk] 📚 Resources For Professionals and Parents: * Estabrooks, W., MacIver-Lux, K., & Rhoades, E. (Eds.). (2020). Auditory-Verbal Therapy: For Young Children with Hearing Loss and Their Families, and the Practitioners Who Guide Them (2nd ed.). Plural Publishing.

17: Self-monitoring with clear analysis

Self-monitoring is the invisible skill that allows children to reflect, adapt, and regulate, so as to learn independently and grow. In this seventeenth episode, Shefali Shah demonstrates with three-and-a-half and four year old deaf children  how Auditory-Verbal Therapy systematically fosters the ability to self-monitor speech intelligibility and language usage. As listening becomes deeply internalised, a deaf or hard of hearing child begins to observe herself, spontaneously modifying her language and speech, to align with increasing accuracy with the patterns she hears around her. This intentional shift in responsibility is central to Auditory-Verbal Therapy and is in accordance with Principle 8. Self-monitoring is both subtle and powerful as it characterises the independent learner. This is The Sound Steps Podcast. 🎧 Top Tips from Episode 17 * Follow Principle 8 of AVT. Professionals and caregivers support the child in self-monitoring her spoken language through listening.  * Foster maturity for self-regulation: Children learn to observe, monitor, and adjust their language and speech, to align with expectations.                 * Self-regulation is foundational: Self-regulation sets the stage for independent learning.                                                                                                              * Speech clarity through listening: Self-monitoring ensures spontaneous, continuous adjustment of speech and language based on the auditory feedback loop. * Pull back intentionally. Parents and professionals gradually withdraw active correction, giving space for the child to monitor and self-correct. * Practice matters: Finely tuned listening skills support accurate imitation of speech and language norms. Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:30  90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents 00:01:39 Choosing Auditory-Verbal Therapy for your deaf or hard of hearing child 00:02:14 AVT facilitates age-appropriate development 00:02:40 Abundant choices open up through AVT 00:03:07 Early identification and the fitting of early and optimal amplification. 00:03:15 A life free of limitations 00:03:23 Show notes, Top tips and Time Stamps 00:03:34 Links and contact details 00:03:43 Resources 00:03:49 Principle 8 of AVT: Self-monitoring 00:04:07 Meaning of self-monitoring 00:05:17 Self-monitoring critical to independent learning 00:05:30 An efficient tool to maintain speech intelligibility 00:06:08 Self-Practice 00:07:34 Intentional pull back 00:08:05 Analysis of short demo 00:14:13 Reflection 00:15:02 Our next episode: Clear Speech Resources: * 💬 Submit your question to the show: https://www.soundsteps.uk/podcast-ask-question/ [https://www.soundsteps.uk/podcast-ask-question/] * 👩‍⚕️ Face-to-face AVT with Shefali Shah (London): https://soundsteps.uk [https://soundsteps.uk] * 🌐 Online AVT sessions available via AVT Direct: https://avtdirect.com [https://avtdirect.com] * 🎓 Train online as an LSL professional in AVT: https://learnavt.com [https://learnavt.com] * 📧 Contact Shefali directly: shefalishah@soundsteps.uk [shefalishah@soundsteps.uk] 📚 Resources For Professionals & Parents * Estabrooks, D., Morrison, H. M., & MacIver-Lux, K. (2020). Auditory-Verbal Therapy: For Young Children with Hearing Loss and Their Families, and the Practitioners Who Guide Them. *  Diamond, A. (2013). Executive functions. Annual Review of Psychology, 64, 135–168. *  National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (Harvard University). Building the Brain’s “Air Traffic Control” System: How Early Experiences Shape the Development of Executive Function. https://developingchild.harvard.edu [https://developingchild.harvard.edu] Self-Monitoring Speech * Paul, R., & Norbury, C. (2012). Language Disorders from Infancy through Adolescence.

16: Reading: Moving Beyond Words with Your Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child

Your six month old infant is ready to be read to! In this delightful sixteenth episode, Shefali Shah is joined by Simi Rughani and Rashi Sanghi to experience the joy of reading aloud to their toddler. Follow Shefali’s practical guidance on how to choose developmentally appropriate books, to harness your child’s wholehearted participation. Books open up new worlds. The research shows that early reading is a strong predictor of lifelong academic success. Enjoy listening to mothers reading to their toddlers, moving beyond mere labelling to unlock the subtle messages of the story. Witness an emerging Theory of Mind(ToM), as the toddler demonstrates his emerging appreciation of perspective. Reading is fun! Share the fun of reading with your child!  This is The Sound Steps Podcast. 🎧 Top Tips from Episode 16 * Babies are ready to be read to by the age of 6 months. Prop your baby up against large cushions as guided by your professional, if she is able to sit independently. * Choose books wisely. Select books that are appropriate to your child’s stage of development. * Move beyond labelling. Use books as opportunities to expand your child’s vocabulary, expressive language and thinking skills. * Understanding perspective. Help your child notice that the reader often knows more than the story characters, laying the foundation for Theory of Mind (ToM). Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:28 Introducing our guests in this episode: Simi Rughani and Rashi Sanghi  00:02:00 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents 00:02:10 Choosing Auditory-Verbal Therapy for your deaf or hard of hearing child 00:02:49 AVT facilitates age-appropriate development 00:03:12 Abundant choices open up through AVT 00:03:37 Early identification and the fitting of early and optimal amplification. 00:03:44 A life free of limitations 00:03:53 Show notes, Top tips and Time Stamps 00:04:03 Links and contact details 00:04:11 Resources 00:04:42 Suggested reading for young children 00:04:50 Reading score is a reliable predictor of lifelong academic achievement  00:05:24 Reading to infants 00:06:41 Move away from mère labelling as you read to your infant 00:07:00 Making each page come alive 00:08:27 Reading to toddlers 00:09:08 Transitioning to books with involved plots 00:10:58 Comprehending the subtleties of the storyline 00:11:10 Understanding Perspective 00:11:39 Emerging Theory of Mind 00:17:07 Reflection 00:17:21 Our next episode: Self-monitoring Resources: * 💬 Submit your question to the show: https://www.soundsteps.uk/podcast-ask-question/ [https://www.soundsteps.uk/podcast-ask-question/] * 👩‍⚕️ Face-to-face AVT with Shefali Shah (London): https://soundsteps.uk [https://soundsteps.uk] * 🌐 Online AVT sessions available via AVT Direct: https://avtdirect.com [https://avtdirect.com] * 🎓 Train online as an LSL professional in AVT: https://learnavt.com [https://learnavt.com] * 📧 Contact Shefali directly: shefalishah@soundsteps.uk [shefalishah@soundsteps.uk] Resources For Professionals & Parents * A simple map of typical Theory of Mind development. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiT7HFj2gv4 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiT7HFj2gv4] * Astington, J. W., & Edward, M. J. (2010). The development of theory of mind in early childhood. In The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Childhood Cognitive Development (pp. 258–284). Wiley-Blackwell. Books For Infants & Toddlers: * Browne E., (2004) Handa’s Surprise * Buckingham, M., (2007), Peek-a-boo Penguins * Hoose, P and H., ( 1998), Hey, little Ant * Rathmann, P., (2012), Goodnight Gorilla * Sheneman, D, ( 2017), Nope! A Story of First Flight!

15: Firing Imagination Through Play in Your Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child

Play offers children a safe and imaginative space to explore, express emotions, experiment, and fail, all without consequence. It is the perfect stage on which your deaf or hard of hearing child can practice talking, thinking, problem-solving and learning. In this fifteenth episode, Shefali Shah shares a delightful conversation with a young couple from her online AVT practice: parents of a cochlear implanted toddler, as they reflect on how their play epiodes have evolved. Through real-life play sequences, Shefali coaches them to move beyond factual exchanges, to expand play themes, embrace unpredictability, and fuel their child’s imagination. By modelling new ideas, introducing “Sabotage” to disrupt predictable patterns, and allowing space for their child to resolve play scenarios, the family discovers how imagination and language take flight together. They laugh, learn, and marvel at how creative their child has become! Move away from realistic routine and take flights of fantasy! Once you open up those doors you’ll be amazed by how quickly your child grabs these opportunities and flies with them, so that you can fly together! This is The Sound Steps Podcast. 🎧 Top Tips from Episode 15 * Play sets the stage. Play provides a secure, low pressure environment to grow your child’s expressive and cognitive skills * Talk as you play. Extend conversations as you describe events, express emotions and explore feelings. * Move away from predictable play patterns. Play does not have to be realistic: go beyond the routine!. * Keep play going. Use open ended responses to extend both the game and conversation. * Use Sabotage to introduce disruptions. Disrupt predictable play to provoke problem-solving and invite creative responses. *  Wait for resolution. Give your child the space she needs to propose solutions and direct next steps. * ·The unexpected fuels imagination and higher thinking. These moments foster inventiveness. Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:17 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents 00:01:26 Choosing Auditory-Verbal Therapy for your deaf or hard of hearing child 00:01:58 AVT facilitates age-appropriate development 00:02:28 Abundant choices open up through AVT 00:02:54 Early identification and the fitting of early and optimal amplification. 00:03:01 A life free of limitations 00:03:11 Show notes, Top tips and Time Stamps 00:03:20 Links and contact details 00:03:28 Resources 00:03:34 Auditory-Verbal Techniques 00:03:50 Auditory-Verbal Techniques: Sabotage 00:04:15 Auditory-Verbal Techniques: Modelling 00:04:47 Engaging your child in play 00:05:16 Introducing our guests in this episode 00:05:44 Pretend Play 00:06:05 Keeping Conversation alive through play 00:07:35 Firing imagination 00:09:05 Young children playing together 00:10:00 Exploring non-factual themes 00:10:53 Pure imagination in play 00:14:12 Sabotage: Disrupting play with a disaster 00:14:38 Variations in the same play theme 00:20:24 Play out play sequences in dreams 00:21:47 Reflection 00:22:15 Our next episode: Reading: Beyond Words Resources: * 💬 Submit your question to the show: https://www.soundsteps.uk/podcast-ask-question/ [https://www.soundsteps.uk/podcast-ask-question/] * 👩‍⚕️ Face-to-face AVT with Shefali Shah (London): https://soundsteps.uk [https://soundsteps.uk] * 🌐 Online AVT sessions available via AVT Direct: https://avtdirect.com [https://avtdirect.com] * 🎓 Train online as an LSL professional in AVT: https://learnavt.com [https://learnavt.com] * 📧 Contact Shefali directly: shefalishah@soundsteps.uk [shefalishah@soundsteps.uk] 📚 Resources * Elkind, D., (2006)The Power of Play: How Spontaneous, Imaginative Activitites Lead to Happier and Healthier Children, Perseus Books * Estabrooks, D., Morrison, M., & MacIver-Lux, K. (2020). Auditory-Verbal Therapy: For Young Children with Hearing Loss and Their Families, and the Practitioners Who Guide Them (2nd ed.). Plural Publishing. * Schwartz, S. (2004). The New Language of Toys: Teaching Communication Skills to Children With Special Needs, a Guide for Parents and Teachers. Woodbine House. * Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University. (n.d.). Serve and Return Interaction Shapes Brain Architecture.  https://developingchild.harvard.edu [https://developingchild.harvard.edu]

14: Keeping up with your child

The uphill climb of the early days is now behind you. As new vistas open up, you’ll find that  the gradient has eased and the pace of your child’s learning has gained considerable momentum. As comforting as it may be to linger in the familiar, growth thrives in novelty. By balancing observation with intuition, you can stretch and challenge your deaf or hard of hearing child without overwhelming her. Let go of repeating the same routines the same way. Instead, favour fresh turns of phrase, richer vocabulary, and more complex thinking. This fluidity makes your child nimble minded. Plan and marvel at how your child embraces this change of pace: staying attentive, curious, and receptive to every new idea that she discovers! This is The Sound Steps Podcast. 🎧 Top Tips from Episode 14 * Eye gaze and engagement matter. Your child’s gaze and attention tell you she is processing what you say. * Pacing is key. Observation tells  you when to move on. * Managing the developmental gap. Stimulate your child without overwhelming her. * Moving on: Explore using new ways to convey familiar meaning. * Match your child’s pace. This keeps your child wanting to listen. * Staying an enthusiastic listener. Your child learns that paying attention brings new discoveries. Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:42 Introducing our guests in this episode 00:02:00 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents 00:02:10 Choosing Auditory-Verbal Therapy for your deaf or hard of hearing child 00:02:38 AVT facilitates age-appropriate development 00:03:10 Abundant choices open up through AVT 00:03:38 Early identification and the fitting of early and optimal amplification. 00:03:46 A life free of limitations 00:03:56 Show notes, Top tips and Time Stamps 00:04:05 Links and contact details 00:04:13 Resources 00L04:36 Trust that your child is listening with optimal amplification 00:05:08 Subtle signs of comprehension 00:05:15 Pacing is key 00:05:30 Move forward 00:08:11 Stay intuitive 00:08:38 Keep changing the manner in which you convey familiar content 00:11:00 Stretch and challenge 00:15:41  Learning in session 00:16:40 An enthusiastic listener 00:17:58 Reflection 00:18:44 Our next episode: Firing imagination through play Resources: * 💬 Submit your question to the show: https://www.soundsteps.uk/podcast-ask-question/ [https://www.soundsteps.uk/podcast-ask-question/] * 👩‍⚕️ Face-to-face AVT with Shefali Shah (London): https://soundsteps.uk [https://soundsteps.uk] * 🌐 Online AVT sessions available via AVT Direct: https://avtdirect.com [https://avtdirect.com] * 🎓 Train online as an LSL professional in AVT: https://learnavt.com [https://learnavt.com] * 📧 Contact Shefali directly: shefalishah@soundsteps.uk [shefalishah@soundsteps.uk] 📚 Resources * Estabrooks, D., Morrison, M., & MacIver-Lux, K. (2020). Auditory-Verbal Therapy: For Young Children with Hearing Loss and Their Families, and the Practitioners Who Guide Them (2nd ed.). Plural Publishing. * National Scientific Council on the Developing Child. (2004, updated 2011). Building the Brain’s “Air Traffic Control” System: How Early Experiences Shape the Development of Executive Function. Harvard University. Center on the Developing Child – Harvard