Routine

Anyone with children knows how important routine is, napping at the right time is essential as are providing a variety of activities that are both fun and stimulating. Both parents and children love it.

Our day-to-day routine has changed dramatically over the last 12 days. Yes 12. Isobel has a hearing age of 12 days.

Each day starts of course the with putting Isobel's hearing aids in and at the end of the day taking them out and cleaning them. (I had no idea that so much ear wax could be collected in a day!)

Each day now also has 'sound sessions' built into them. We're working on those Ling Six Sounds.

The monkey represents Ee and then we have Ah (aeroplane), Mm (bowl and spoon) and Oo (train).

Followed by Ss (snake) and Sh (baby).

We play many variations of games involving these sounds and objects. They have become part of our essential box of toys.

It is really great to hear Isobel repeat the sounds and then add her own twist to them. The sssssssnake, for instance, must slither after a particular person, and the ee ee ee monky must jiggle from side to side.

We also continue with  the hearing test game and we have a song about a 'Naught Pussy Cat', who is very fat, with butter on his whiskers. Part of this song is to meow at the right time. I must confess, the first time Isobel was less than impressed by this activity, but now she quite likes it, especially when I draw whiskers on Daddy's face with my eye-liner.

Each activity lasts for about 10 minutes, but when done everyday, we start to chip away at that big rock...

We also have numerous charts and lists that are occupying the fridge door and kitchen walls. This is the progressing list of words that Isobel is able to say, we also have charts to note her hearing test sound abilities and the schedule for her day.

Each little bit we do each day is really paying off, for all the noncooperation there are real gems. I got a real lump in my throat this week when Isobel said, Mama, love you so much!






It doesn't get any better than that!