Auditory Verbal Therapy (AVT) plays a vital role in helping toddlers with hearing loss develop listening and spoken language skills. The therapy focuses on training the brain to listen through the use of hearing technology like hearing aids or cochlear implants. Here are the top 10 engaging AVT activities for toddlers that parents and therapists can use to boost progress in a playful and effective way.
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Sound Identification with Toys – Use toy animals or vehicles to make sounds and encourage the child to imitate or point to the corresponding object.
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Sing Simple Songs – Nursery rhymes with repetition and rhythm help toddlers develop listening memory and sound awareness.
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Peek-a-Boo with Sound – Hide behind a cloth and make fun sounds like "moo" or "beep" to encourage listening and turn-taking.
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Reading Aloud – Choose books with rich illustrations and simple, repetitive text. Pause and ask questions to promote listening.
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Daily Routine Narration – Talk through daily activities like bath time or cooking to expose the child to everyday vocabulary.
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Sound Walks – Go for a walk and point out different sounds like birds chirping, cars passing, or a dog barking.
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Play Pretend Phone – Use toy phones to mimic conversations, enhancing listening and conversational turn-taking.
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Echo Games – Say a word or phrase and have the toddler repeat it back like an echo.
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Hide and Seek with Sounds – Hide a sound-making toy and have the child listen and find it.
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Name That Sound – Play recordings of common household sounds and ask the child to identify them.
These AVT activities are fun, interactive, and ideal for reinforcing listening skills in toddlers. Early and consistent practice can make a meaningful difference in their language development journey.
