Our programs
Our programs are based on developmental guidelines of communication – language, speech and listening. We deliver the programs through both individual and group sessions and we value the parents as the primary facilitators of communication.
Discussing and reviewing the children’s goals regularly with parents helps us and our families to be working together on the children’s developing speech, listening and language skills.
Individual sessions (click to expand)
- Individual sessions are available for all children who are diagnosed with a hearing loss and in particular
- all babies and children up to three years old
- children between three and six years old who are not in our group program
- children who attend for speech-language therapy sessions.
- All sessions involve participation and interactions between the child, parent/s and teacher of the deaf.
- We plan and prepare these sessions so that we can guide and assist the parents with information and strategies that will support the development of children’s listening, speech and language skills. We provide information to help parents understand the effects of their child’s hearing loss on the development of communication.
- Sessions may be weekly, fortnightly or as negotiated between the teacher and the parent.
Group program (click to expand)
- Group programs are available for children over three years of age – Pre-Prep and Prep aged children.
- The programs are held two days a week on Thursday and Friday from 9am to 2pm.
- All the progams are based on early education philosophy and developmental guidelines with a focus on developing the children’s language, listening and speech skills.
- The programs are designed to develop each child’s individual goals within a group context as well as provide individual instruction for part of the day with teacher and therapists.
- The programs are structured to cater to individual communication needs of the children by the provision of
- oral programs with main focus on speech and listening
- signing programs with the main focus on developing language through sign.
- Each child has individual goals set to monitor the child’s progress. The parent/s, teacher and the therapist meet regularly to review and discuss these goals.
- The teachers plan and develop the programs which are then supported by the teacher and the teacher aide in the classroom during the day.
- Group programs provide valuable opportunities for social peer interaction within a small group.
- Children are also encouraged to attend their regular local early education centre or Prep program where they are supported by an Advisory Visiting Teacher for hearing impairment or by a teacher from Yeerongpilly.
- Taxi transport may be available for children in group programs who meet the requirements under the Transport Guidelines.
Playgroups (click to expand)
- All babies and children with their parent/s up to three years old are welcome to attend these gatherings.
- Our playgroup sessions are held weekly on Thursday from 9.30am to 11.30am, alternating for babies and toddlers. To see our playgroup term calendar please click here. (Baby playgroup dates term 2 2012 and Toddler Playgroup dates term 2 2012)
- Parents are able to meet and support each other in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere during playgroup sessions.
- We also include information sessions so that parents have the opportunity to learn more about hearing impairment. We encourage parents to request topics that are of particular interest to them e.g. audiological information, amplification devices, general child development, communication development, children’s future education.
- We can organise opportunities for parents to meet with therapists and teachers during playgroup to answer questions and to discuss the children’s progress.
