Hello Friends,

       California Hands &  Voices is supporting you and your child on your journey!

This week on #TogetherThursday, we are going to continue our theme of #LifeSkills 

There are also other ways to empower our DHH youth with independence and life skills! 

Lets discuss grocery/food shopping today! Finding ways to incorporate learning and language into weekly trips to the grocery store can be daunting, however, very necessary especially as we support our DHH children to become independent adults!

• For our younger friends: Link

Language opportunities everywhere at the grocery store! From practicing and seeing real life produce, to reading labels and noticing patterns, there are so many chances to practice language together!

• For our school age friends: Link

Activities to do together at the grocery store, from making a simple budget, to comparing price and weight of produce, there are so many ways to integrate learning on your next trip.

• Finally, for our oldest friends: Link

A lesson plan that gives some tasks and longer term questions about food choices, brands and budgeting by city area.

How do you and your family learn together while doing errands?

Together, We Can,

Ms. Leslie

Hello Friends,

       California Hands &  Voices is supporting you and your child on your journey!

This week on #TogetherThursday, we are going to continue to discuss about #LifeSkills 

In supporting DHH children we often focus on self-advocacy, which looks like ensuring that DHH children understand their own access to spaces, conversations, friendships and opportunities.

There are also other ways to empower our DHH youth with independence and life skills!

One such building block is learning about clothing and laundry!

• For our youngest friends: Link

Laundry can actually help in all domains of development from language to socio-emotional skills, Laundry is a great skill builder!

• For our older friends: Link

A step by step age guide of laundry skills broken down into how routines can support their overall independence as they grow!

What routines do you have in your home alongside your child that work?

Together, We Can,

Ms. Leslie

Hello Friends,

        Hands &  Voices is supporting you and your child on your journey!

This week and next on #TogetherThursday, we are going to touch on #LifeSkills.

In supporting DHH children we often focus on self-advocacy, which looks like ensuring that DHH children understand their own access to spaces, conversations, friendships and opportunities.

There are also other ways to empower our DHH youth with independence and life skills!

One such building block is the ability to read a map.

• Why is this valuable when we use things like google maps and waze?
  Here is an article from PBS that discusses why map reading is important as a skill: Link
• How can you practice this skill at home?
  For our younger friends: Link 

Everything from exploring types of transportation, learning the names of streets and signs, early literacy and exploration! 

• For older friends(older middle school through high school): Link

Discussions on alternative fuels, sustainable transportation options, various roadways, infrastructure and more!

How do you do daily transportation and map reading integration in your home?

Together, We Can,

Ms. Leslie

Hello Friends,

        Hands &  Voices is supporting you and your child on your journey!

This week on #TogetherThursday, as summer continues to unfold, there is the topic of Play!

Did you know that Play IS learning?

Play is one of the most overlooked ways to do so many things throughout life. It is vital in childhood, and supportive in adulthood!

• Here is how play is important in early childhood from NAEYC(National Association for the Education of Young Children): Link

Take Aways: Play supports all areas of development but especially those “big hitters” in the DHH world: Cognition, Language and Social Skills

• How do I do this?? What are some steps to take? Play is so general????
  Link 

Here is some tips for getting started to integrate play throughout the day.

Key things: Start small-Integrate some sensory exploration like playdoh or sand, role play and make up stories together, take walks and make up games along the way.

• I mentioned children of all ages(and adults too!) here is an article that breaks that down: Link
• They include this blog: Link

Which includes various categories including middle and high school topics!!!!

How are you and/or your child playing this week.

Together, We Can,

Ms. Leslie