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Welcome to Language Play Lab! Are you tired of spending your precious time after the kids go to bed googling questions like "Why isn't my child talking yet?" or "How do I get my toddler to say more words?"
Do you feel overwhelmed by all the conflicting advice about the "right" way to help your child develop language skills?
Hey, I'm Alaine. I'm a mom of 3 littles, two of whom are Deaf, and I'm a language teacher who's helped hundreds of families unlock their child's communication potential. I remember what it felt like to worry that my child wasn't developing language fast enough - that sinking feeling that maybe I wasn't doing enough or doing it right.
How did I go from worried mom to confident language coach who helps families see breakthrough results?
By discovering that the most powerful language learning happens through play - not flashcards, not formal lessons, but through the natural joy of childhood play. Each week on Language Play Lab, I'm tackling your biggest questions about language development and giving you practical strategies that actually work.
Together we're going to turn your child's playtime into their most powerful language learning tool, so they can build the communication skills they need to thrive!
So put down those flashcards, step away from the comparison trap, and let's dive into the fun side of language learning!
Episode | Date |
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Classroom Accomodations to Consider This School Year for Your Child
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Aug 22, 2025 |
How to Have a Successful IEP Meeting for your Deaf and Hard of Hearing Child
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Aug 14, 2025 |
What Do You Need to Double Down on Right Now to See Success?
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Jul 24, 2025 |
What Does Success with Hearing Loss Look Like to You Today?
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Jul 17, 2025 |
Hwo to Get Siblings Excited to Learn ASL with Hannah Jessen Conway
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Jul 10, 2025 |
How to Prep Your Kids for Successful Vacations and Outings
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Jul 03, 2025 |
Chat & Play: Spring Language Activities for Kids with Hearing Loss
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May 15, 2025 |
How to Get Your Partner or Husband On Board with Your Child's Language Goals
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Mar 20, 2025 |
Avoid Behavior Issues with Your Deaf and Hard of Hearing Child Using Visual Communication
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Mar 13, 2025 |
108 | Make Trick or Treating a Hearing Loss- Friendly Experience for Your Deaf Child!
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Oct 29, 2024 |
107 | 3 Tips for Navigating the Healthcare System and CMV with Dr. Megan Becker
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Oct 22, 2024 |
106 | How I Stopped Listening to Instagram Influencers and Found the Confidence to Parent my Deaf Kids
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Oct 15, 2024 |
105 | Don’t Have Enough Language To Communicate with Your Deaf Child? What to do to Instantly Start Communicating Better!
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Oct 08, 2024 |
104 | Adopting A Child with Autism and Easily Traveling the World with a Special Needs Child with Jenifer Breaux
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Oct 03, 2024 |
103 | 5 Benefits of Cochlear Implants for Kids with Hearing Loss
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Oct 01, 2024 |
102 | Raising a Child with CMV and How to Advocate to Your Medical Team with Parent Listener Bethany Meier
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Sep 26, 2024 |
101 | 5 Misconceptions About Cochlear Implants in Children That Professionals Don’t Tell You
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Sep 24, 2024 |
100 | How Can You Make Learning Language Easier for Your Child with Hearing Loss?
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Sep 19, 2024 |
99 | 4 Mindset Shifts You Can Make Today to Be a Better Parent
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Sep 17, 2024 |
98 | Teacher Not Using the FM System? How to Approach the IEP Team to Get Better Support for Your Deaf Child
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Sep 12, 2024 |
97 | Want to Learn ASL Without Adding More to Your Day? Use This Easy 2 Step Method to Begin Learning ASL Today!
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Sep 10, 2024 |
96 | Caught Off-Guard By Unexpected Comments? 3 Ways to Process Through Negative Comments as a Parent of a Deaf Child
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Sep 05, 2024 |
95 | How to Use a Visual Schedule in the Classroom to Maximize Communication with Your Deaf Child
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Sep 04, 2024 |
94 | The Truth About Using ASL With Cochlear Implant and Hearing Aid Kids
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Aug 29, 2024 |
93 | Put THIS Into Your Deaf Child’s IEP For Better Learning Outcomes
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Aug 27, 2024 |
92 | 3 Ways to Talk to Your Hearing Kids About Hearing Loss in Your Home
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Aug 22, 2024 |
91 | The WORST Advice I Was Given About Classroom Accommodations as a Parent of Deaf Kids
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Aug 20, 2024 |
Do You Know 1 Person Who Needs Help?
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Aug 16, 2024 |
90 | Afraid to Label Your Child as Deaf? 3 Ways to Embrace Your Child's Deaf Identity
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Aug 15, 2024 |
89 | 3 Questions I Always Ask Our IEP Team to Gain Clarity at the IEP Meeting
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Aug 13, 2024 |
88 | Answer These 5 Questions to Get Clarity on School Accomodations for Your Child with Hearing Loss
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Aug 08, 2024 |
87 | 3 Unconventional Steps to Build Your Self Trust As a Mom
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Aug 06, 2024 |
86 | 3 Ways to Get Your Extended Family On- Board with Learning ASL to Communicate With Your Deaf Child
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Aug 01, 2024 |
85 | My Deaf Kids Never Caught Up in Speech! What I Focus on Instead for Communication
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Jul 30, 2024 |
84 | How to Use Cued Speech and ASL Together for The Best Language Support for Your Deaf Child with CueSign
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Jul 25, 2024 |
83 | The Journey Begins: Embracing a New Normal After Your Child's Hearing Loss Diagnosis
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Jul 23, 2024 |
82 | My Favorite Sensory Activities that Build Language Skills for Kids with Hearing Loss
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Jul 18, 2024 |
81 | Talking to Children about Cochlear Implant Surgery: 3 Tips for Making the Discussion Age-Appropriate
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Jul 16, 2024 |
80 | Living with Hearing Loss And Being An Advocate for Your Child with Valerie James Abbott, Mary Clare and Bridie
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Jul 11, 2024 |
79 | 3 Ways I Help my Deaf Kids Build Confidence and Resilience
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Jul 09, 2024 |
78 | Bridging the Gap in Our Churches Between the Hearing and Deaf Communities with Erin Falacho
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Jul 04, 2024 |
77 | How to Help Your Child’s Coach or Instructor Communicate Effectively in Extracurricular Activities for Your Child with Hearing Loss
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Jul 02, 2024 |
76 | 3 Strategies to Introduce Wearing New Devices to Your Kids with Hearing Loss
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Jun 27, 2024 |
75 | 3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Cochlear Implant Activation Day with my Deaf Child
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Jun 25, 2024 |
74 | My 3 Favorite Summer Activities To Practice Language and Keep My Kids Entertained
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Jun 20, 2024 |
73 | Teaching Kids About Deaf Culture and Advocacy Through Books with Katie the Author of Mighty Mila
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Jun 19, 2024 |
72 | Make a Simple Language Practice Plan That You Can Stick to This Summer with Your Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child!
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Jun 18, 2024 |
71 | Looking for Fresh Ideas to Practice Language Skills? Here are My Favorite Play- Based Activities to Practice Language with my Deaf Kids
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Jun 13, 2024 |
70 | Midweek Minisode: Why Sensory Input is Important for Kids with Hearing Loss
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Jun 12, 2024 |
69 | My Top 5 Must- Have Items to Pack for Cochlear Implant Surgery Day For Your Child
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Jun 11, 2024 |
68 | 3 Ways That I Use Visual Systems in My Home To Get Rid of the Frustration and Tantrums with my Deaf Children
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Jun 06, 2024 |
67 | The ONE Thing That I Wish I Knew Before Getting My Child Cochlear Implants
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Jun 05, 2024 |
66 | Need to Get The Whole Family on Board with Language Learning? Create a Communication Plan for the Whole Family to Connect Through Language!
|
Jun 04, 2024 |
65 | Overwhelmed With A Mountain of Decisions for Your Deaf Child? Do This 1 Thing to Create Instant Ease in Your Life Today
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May 30, 2024 |
64 | Do This One Thing to Manage Your Stress and Show Up With More Joy to Your Family with Charlotte Haggie
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May 29, 2024 |
63 | Family Not Communicating Together? 3 Questions That Will Help You Build a Family Communication Plan Today
|
May 28, 2024 |
62 | What I Thought Raising a Deaf Child Would Be Like versus What It's Actually Like
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May 23, 2024 |
61 | When You Feel Like You're Falling Behind As a Mom Raising a Deaf Child
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May 22, 2024 |
60 | How Do You Know if Your Child with Cochlear Implants or Hearing Aids Can Hear You?
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May 21, 2024 |
59 | Create a Smoothe Bedtime Routine Tonight with Your Child with Cochlear Implants or Hearing Aids
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May 16, 2024 |
58 | Midweek Minisode- How to Have Patience in the Messy Middle of Language Learning with Your Child with Hearing Loss
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May 15, 2024 |
57 | Don't Have Enough Language to Communicate with Your Deaf Child? 3 Things You Can Do Today to Instantly Start Communicating Better
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May 14, 2024 |
56 | How to Balance Multiple Therapy Appointments for Your Deaf Child Without Going Crazy
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May 09, 2024 |
55 | Midweek Minisode- 5 Simple Ways to Recharge When You're Burned out and Overwhelmed as a Busy Mom
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May 08, 2024 |
54 | 3 Ways to Teach Your Deaf Child with ADHD Better Language Skills Without Getting Frustrated
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May 07, 2024 |
53 | What Does It Really Take to Learn Sign Language as a Busy Mom?
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May 02, 2024 |
52 | Midweek Minisode- 5 Ways to Make Your Home Deaf Friendly for Your Child with Hearing Loss
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May 01, 2024 |
51 | 3 Ways to Help Your Child with Hearing Loss to Learn Language Faster Today
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Apr 30, 2024 |
50 | 5 Things That I Deleted From My Life and Instantly Got Back Hours of My Time
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Apr 25, 2024 |
49 | Midweek Minisode- How You Spend Your Time Communicates What You Value in Life
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Apr 24, 2024 |
48 | 3 Things You Should Know When Choosing an ASL Course
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Apr 23, 2024 |
47 | 3 Tips to Support Your Deaf Child's Language Development at Home As a Busy Mom
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Apr 18, 2024 |
46 | Midweek Minisode- Say YES to popsicles for dinner!
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Apr 17, 2024 |
45 | How Long Should You REALLY Practice Language Skills at Home With Your Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child?
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Apr 16, 2024 |
44 | How Time Blocking Leads to Better Language Outcomes for Your Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child
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Apr 11, 2024 |
43 | Midweek Minisode: Would You Ask God to Heal Hearing Loss?
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Apr 10, 2024 |
42 | Use This Simple Hack to Get Your Child with Hearing Loss to Practice Speech Therapy Goals
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Apr 09, 2024 |
41 | How You Talk to Your Deaf Child Matters! Support Your Child Socially and Emotionally with These Tips From Lacey Wood
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Apr 04, 2024 |
40 | 3 Ways to Create a Time Rich Mindset So That You Can Intentionally Practice Language Skills with Your Deaf Child
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Apr 02, 2024 |
39 | Feeling Like a Failure? 3 Ways to Boost Your Self Confidence in Parenting a Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child
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Mar 28, 2024 |
38 | How To Know if You Need to Change Language Strategies with Your Deaf Child
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Mar 26, 2024 |
37 | How To Help Your Deaf Child Boost Their Language Comprehension
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Mar 21, 2024 |
36 | Steal my 1:1:3 Method to Practice Speech Goals in Your Daily Routine With Your Deaf Child
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Mar 19, 2024 |
35 | Dreading Your Next IEP Meeting? Learn How to Get On the Same Page As Your IEP Team For Better Education Outcomes for Your Child
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Mar 14, 2024 |
34 | Overwhelmed with Language Options? Do These 3 Steps To Make The Path to Language More Clear For Your Family
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Mar 12, 2024 |
33 | Do This Time Audit for Your Week And Find More Time to Practice Language with Your Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child!
|
Mar 07, 2024 |
32 | My 3 Favorite Language Strategies to Boost Your Deaf Child’s Language Skills this week!
|
Mar 05, 2024 |
31 | STOP Winging Your Child's Daily Schedule! How Using a Visual Schedule will Transform Your Home Life with Sara Olsher
|
Feb 29, 2024 |
30 | 3 Warning Signs That Your Self Trust is Being Chipped Away By Bad Providers
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Feb 27, 2024 |
29 | Get Your Deaf Toddler to Sleep Through the Night with These Tips from Baby Sleep Coach Melanie Duval
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Feb 22, 2024 |
28 | My 1 Simple Strategy To Practice Speech Therapy Goals with Your Deaf Child
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Feb 20, 2024 |
27 | Stumped on How to Navigate the Public Education System as a Parent with a Deaf child? Learn Tactical Ways to Work Together with Your IEP Team for Better Education Outcomes with Dr. Joyce Kennedy
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Feb 15, 2024 |
26 | Enough Mom Guilt Already! Banish the Guilt for Good and Parent Your Deaf Child With More Confidence!
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Feb 13, 2024 |
25 | Confused About What Language StrategyTo Choose For Your Deaf Child? Learn About Different Language Modalities and How to Make the Best Decision as a Parent with Lacey Wood
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Feb 08, 2024 |
24 | 4 Reasons Why Your Child with Hearing Loss Might Not Be Talking Yet Even If They are in Speech Therapy
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Feb 06, 2024 |
23 | Do You Feel Burned Out as a Mom of a Deaf Child? Identify Caregiver Burnout and Learn Easy Strategies to Add Self Care Into Your Week with Special Needs Parent Coach Felicia Sheline
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Feb 01, 2024 |
22 | My Child Doesn’t Want to use Sign Language Anymore! Why Taking a Break from Sign Language is not a Problem, and 3 Things You Can Do as a Parent Support your Child’s Language Skills
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Jan 30, 2024 |
21 | How to Become a Home MAKER and Create A Supportive Home Foundation that Works for Your Family with Kathryn Garland of Homespun
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Jan 25, 2024 |
20 | Feeling Lost and Alone in Navigating Hearing Loss with Your Child? Here are 3 Tips to Find Your Community in 2024.
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Jan 23, 2024 |
19 | Harness Your Super Power as a Mom to Balance Work and Family Without the Stress and Burnout with Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Michelle Kais
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Jan 18, 2024 |
18 | Struggling with No Time to Practice Speech Goals? 3 Ways to Practice Speech Therapy Goals With Your Child As a Busy Mom
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Jan 16, 2024 |
17 | Stumped on How to Help Your Deaf Teen Create Better Self- Confidence? These Tips from Teen Guest Hear 2 Connect Will Help
|
Jan 11, 2024 |
16 | If You Don’t Want Your New Years Goals to Fail by February, Do these 3 things!
|
Jan 09, 2024 |
15 | How to Partner with Your Deaf Child to Create Better Communication Systems in Your Home with Michelle Hu
|
Jan 04, 2024 |
14 | How to Successfully Advocate for Your Deaf Child with Hearo Harrison and Summer Greenham
|
Dec 28, 2023 |
13 | How to Successfully Advocate for Your Deaf Child in the Hospital from Pediatric ICU Nurse Tori
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Dec 21, 2023 |
12 | Raising Deaf Kids and The Most Important School Accomodations Your Deaf Child Needs with Emilee Segura
|
Dec 14, 2023 |
11 | What it's Like to Grow Up Hard of Hearing in a Hearing World with Melanie Duval
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Dec 07, 2023 |
10 | 5 Steps to Create an Intentional Daily Schedule that Works with Your Family's Time Management System with Julie Redmond
|
Nov 30, 2023 |
9 | What It’s Like to Be a Sibling of a Deaf Adult + All Things ASL with Selina Nichols
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Nov 23, 2023 |
8 | 5 Tips to Banish Dinner Table Syndrome and Make Your Thanksgiving Table More Language Accessible for Your Deaf Child
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Nov 17, 2023 |
7 | Finding Joy in the Hearing Loss Journey with Allison and Logan from Logie + Co
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Nov 07, 2023 |
6 | Raise Deaf Kids by Using Your Own Intuition with Valli Gideons
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Oct 31, 2023 |
5 | 3 Things You Need to Know About Navigating the Deaf Community as a Hearing Parent
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Oct 26, 2023 |
4 | Setting Healthy Boundaries with Your Family in a Grace- Filled Way with with Amy Sullivan
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Oct 24, 2023 |
3 | How to Navigate a Health Care System In a New Country with Your Deaf Child with Keila Armas
|
Oct 19, 2023 |
2 | How to Navigate Hearing Loss with Your Newborn Part 2 and An Introduction to the Raising Deaf Kids Podcast
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Oct 16, 2023 |
1| How to Navigate Hearing Loss For the First Time with Your Newborn
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Oct 16, 2023 |
Raising Deaf Kids Trailer
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Sep 10, 2023 |