Baby's First Year · Parenting

What is a newborn hearing screen – and does my baby need one?

Before a child can communicate using speech and spoken words, they need to hear the sounds and words we use. If a child has an undetected hearing loss, they may miss certain sounds and words in speech, causing a spoken language delay. The Infant Hearing Program provides free Universal Newborn Hearing Screening for all babies… Continue reading What is a newborn hearing screen – and does my baby need one?

Baby's First Year · Parenting

Common vision problems in children

The Ontario Association of Optometrists recommends that children have their first eye exam at 6 months of age and again at 2-3 year of age and every year after that. In Ontario, eye exams for all children 19 years old and under are covered by OHIP. As recommended I took my 3 year old daughter… Continue reading Common vision problems in children

Baby's First Year · Parenting

Child development: Don’t wait and see

The rapid changes children undergo in the early years of life can leave parents wondering how best to care for them at each stage. As May is Speech, Hearing and Vision month, we’d like to make sure you are aware of some important ways to support the child in your world. When one or more… Continue reading Child development: Don’t wait and see

Baby's First Year · Parenting

Why is it important to have my baby’s hearing screened at birth?

As a new parent you may wonder whether it is important to have your baby's hearing tested at birth.  It is!  Even before birth, at about 20 weeks of fetal development, hearing begins, and prepares your baby to listen to the sounds around him.  So, a newborn who can't hear is already 20 weeks behind… Continue reading Why is it important to have my baby’s hearing screened at birth?