We learn throughout our lives. From the moment we are born we learn by observing and imitating our parents, relatives and friends. Later on, as we attend schools, get jobs and lead active lives, we keep learning.

Children with a hearing loss have the same ability to live full and productive lives as other children. They just need additional support when learning.

Hearing children learn all the time because they pick up all sorts of information. But a child with a hearing loss may need to have things carefully explained on a one-to-one basis. This may include such things as what you are planning to do today, where you are going to shop, what you are going to buy, or whom you are going to visit. By taking some time to explain these situations you can help your child follow what is going on.

Also, children with a hearing loss may need extra help when learning new words and concepts. It can be fairly easy to teach them about objects, but teaching them about more abstract things can lead to misunderstanding and confusion.

Because children with a hearing loss cannot hear the finer nuances of language they sometimes either take things too literally or over-generalise. Concepts such as time can be very hard to understand, so you may have to find different ways of explaining seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years.

One example of a typical misunderstanding of language was when a child asked his mother "how many spiders have eyes?" What he really meant was "how many eyes do spiders have?" In this kind of situation, try drawing or using pictures to illustrate what you are trying to explain.

Always talk to your child, even though he or she may not always seem to fully understand what you are saying. The only way to encourage him or her to develop a spoken language is by speaking yourself, and by setting a good example. And remember that your facial expressions and body language also tell an interesting story!

When your child talks to other people, do not take on the role of interpreter or answer on his or her behalf. When explaining things, try to use short, clear sentences wherever possible.

For further information on helping your child learn please go to the Networking section for recommended reading.