How Listening, Language, and Play Work Together at MOSD
At Memphis Oral School for the Deaf (MOSD), September is a month of growth. As our students settle into classroom routines, every moment, from circle time to the playground, is filled with opportunities to listen, talk, and explore the world through sound. Growth here isn’t just about getting taller; it’s about building connections between hearing, language, and joyful learning.
The Science of Listening and Spoken Language
Children who are deaf or hard of hearing use their brains, not just their ears, to listen. At MOSD, our specialized teachers, audiologists, and speech-language pathologists work together to strengthen the auditory pathways that make listening and spoken language possible.
Through the use of hearing aids, cochlear implants, and daily listening therapy, children learn to detect, discriminate, and eventually attach meaning to sound. Over time, listening becomes natural and speech follows. Each child’s brain is literally growing new connections every day, making sound a bridge to communication and confidence.
Speech Therapy at Home: 5 Fun Ways to Help Your Child Grow
Families play a vital role in a child’s listening and language journey. Here are five simple, engaging ways to support speech and listening at home:
Talk during routines. Describe what you’re doing while cooking, driving, or getting dressed. Repetition builds understanding.
Sing songs and rhymes. Music helps children hear patterns, rhythms, and sounds that support language learning.
Read aloud daily. Choose books with colorful pictures and clear language. Pause to let your child repeat words or point to objects.
Play “I hear…” games. Take turns naming sounds you hear around you, a dog barking, water running, or a door closing.
Celebrate conversation. Encourage your child to ask questions and share thoughts. Every back-and-forth exchange strengthens their listening brain.
Why Play Is the Most Important Part of Learning
At MOSD, play isn’t just for fun, it’s how children learn best. Whether building with blocks, pretending in a kitchen, or painting a masterpiece, play gives children chances to practice language naturally. They negotiate, describe, imagine, and connect, all while developing fine motor, social, and communication skills.
Through guided play, our teachers create moments where listening and language come alive. When a child asks a friend to “pass the red block,” or tells a teacher “I made a big tower!”, they’re not just playing they’re mastering the foundation of communication.
Every Sound Counts
The magic of growth at MOSD happens in these everyday moments when a child says a new word, follows a new sound, or beams with pride after sharing an idea. With every laugh, every story, and every word, our students are learning to listen, speak, and shine.
✨ Learn more about how MOSD helps children who are deaf or hard of hearing reach their full potential at www.mosdkids.org.
