Child Development Prebirth to 18 Months in LSL Intervention

Listening & Spoken Language

Introductory

Self-Study

8hr 6min

Continuing Education

8.00 AG Bell CEUs
0.80 ASHA CEUs

Register until Dec. 30, 2026

Join to Get Started!

It's free and easy to join the Hearing First community.

Help & Support

See All FAQs

Course Overview
Course Outline

Course Overview

This 8-hour course provides an in-depth exploration of child development from the prenatal period through 18 months of age, with a focus on integrating developmental milestones into Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) intervention practices. Participants will examine typical patterns of language, cognitive, social-emotional and sensory development during the first 18 months of life, as well as factors that influence early development, including auditory access, and co-occurring conditions.

Emphasis will be placed on the relationship between early auditory experiences, developmental trajectories and attachment theory, enabling professionals to recognize and respond to the unique needs of infants and families in LSL intervention. The course incorporates evidence-based practices, video examples, and case studies to support the application of LSL strategies and developmental knowledge in parent coaching, assessment, and intervention planning.

An updated key component of the course includes enhancing parent support by equipping professionals with tools to build parents’ competence and confidence. Strategies for promoting parent-to-parent connections including planning and implementing a Baby and Me or Parent-Toddler parent group are included. Participants will learn to model and coach interactions that support the parent’s role as their child’s first and most important teacher.

Course Timeline

30 Days

Primary Audience

LSL Professionals

Key Outcomes

Summarize and apply how the joint influences of biology, environment, and early auditory experiences—including hearing loss—shape early brain development and impact developmental trajectories.
Describe key developmental domains and milestones from birth to 18 months, and explain how to implement and coach parents in using LSL strategies that align with early development and support their baby’s auditory and language growth.
Explain how attachment theory describes the relationship between a baby and their primary caregiver, including its impact on social and emotional development.
Implement parent support strategies and tools that build family competence and confidence during early identification and intervention and describe key components of planning and facilitating parent support groups such as “Baby and Me” or “Parent-Toddler Group.”

Course Outline

Prebirth to Three Months of Age
2h 2m
[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:f2a874e8-7ef7-4743-9fc5-f619d284d518:title=Pre-learning%20Videos&duration=3600&itemdetails=%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3EDevelopmental%20Mindset%20%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22none%22%3E%7C%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3E%2010m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3EPrenatal%20%26amp%3B%20Early%20Brain%20Development%20Summary%20%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22none%22%3E%7C%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3E%2010m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3EGenetic%20and%20Environmental%20Influences%20on%20Infant%20Development%20%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22none%22%3E%7C%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3E%2015m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3EInfant%20Development%200-3%20months%20%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22none%22%3E%7C%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3E%2010m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3ELSL%20Intervention%200-3%20months%20%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22none%22%3E%7C%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3E%2010m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3ERed%20Flags%20%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22none%22%3E%7C%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3E%26nbsp%3B5m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E]

[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:92762476-7e14-4287-9491-520704f3f5aa:title=Live%20Session%20Recording&duration=3720&itemdetails=]
Pre-learning Videos
1h
- Developmental Mindset | 10m
- Prenatal & Early Brain Development Summary | 10m
- Genetic and Environmental Influences on Infant Development | 15m
- Infant Development 0-3 months | 10m
- LSL Intervention 0-3 months | 10m
- Red Flags | 5m
Live Session Recording
1h 2m
Three Months to Six Months of Age
2h
[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:93580862-3d84-4af6-975a-81294d0a20d2:title=Pre-learning%20Videos&duration=3600&itemdetails=%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3EAttachment%20%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22none%22%3E%7C%3C%2Fspan%3E%20%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3E10m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3EDaily%2C%20play%20and%20social%20routines%20leverage%20learning%20%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22none%22%3E%7C%3C%2Fspan%3E%20%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3E20m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3EEarly%20LSL%20strategies%20%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22none%22%3E%7C%3C%2Fspan%3E%20%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3E10m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3EBaby%20development%203-6%20months%20%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22none%22%3E%7C%3C%2Fspan%3E%26nbsp%3B5%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3Em%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3ELSL%20intervention%203-6%20months%20%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22none%22%3E%7C%3C%2Fspan%3E%26nbsp%3B5%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3Em%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3EWatch%20a%20LSL%20Intervention%20Video%26nbsp%3B%7C%26nbsp%3B10m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E]

[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:249e099b-c3e8-47bc-8ab9-c4f7ad3d4910:title=Live%20Session%20Recording&duration=3600&itemdetails=]
Pre-learning Videos
1h
- Attachment | 10m
- Daily, play and social routines leverage learning | 20m
- Early LSL strategies | 10m
- Baby development 3-6 months | 5m
- LSL intervention 3-6 months | 5m
- Watch a LSL Intervention Video | 10m
Live Session Recording
1h
Six Months to Twelve Months of Age
2h 12m
[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:694c39d4-d565-4f81-bfc6-9fa00e0fc1b8:title=Pre-learning%20Videos&duration=4260&itemdetails=%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3EBrain%20Development%20Summary%20%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22none%22%3E%7C%3C%2Fspan%3E%20%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3E15m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3EDevelopmental%20Mindset%20%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22none%22%3E%7C%3C%2Fspan%3E%20%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3E20m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3EBaby%20development%206-9%20months%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3E%20%7C%2016m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3ELSL%20Intervention%206-12%20months%20%7C%2020m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E]

[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:8881ca67-79e7-4165-b173-41a1c5125617:title=Live%20Session%20Recording&duration=3660&itemdetails=]
Pre-learning Videos
1h 11m
- Brain Development Summary | 15m
- Developmental Mindset | 20m
- Baby development 6-9 months | 16m
- LSL Intervention 6-12 months | 20m
Live Session Recording
1h 1m
Twelve Months to Eighteen Months of Age
1h 52m
[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:7778857e-055d-450a-aab0-7d5b1a50e8f9:title=Pre-learning%20Videos&duration=2940&itemdetails=%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3EDevelopmental%20Mindset%20%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22none%22%3E%7C%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3E%26nbsp%3B15m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3EBaby%20Development%2012-18%20months%3C%2Fspan%3E%20%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22none%22%3E%7C%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3E%26nbsp%3B10m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3ELSL%20intervention%2012-18%20months%3C%2Fspan%3E%20%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22none%22%3E%7C%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3E%26nbsp%3B10m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3EParent%20Support%20%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22none%22%3E%7C%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3E%26nbsp%3B13m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3ERed%20Flags%3C%2Fspan%3E%20%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22none%22%3E%7C%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-contrast%3D%22auto%22%3E%26nbsp%3B1m%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20data-ccp-props%3D%22%7B%7D%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E]

[embed:36efd594-647a-47a1-9350-90a1e89aac01:ce28eeb2-a09a-4141-9a2d-15f5a96b9a16:title=Live%20Session%20Recording&duration=3780&itemdetails=]
Pre-learning Videos
49m
- Developmental Mindset | 15m
- Baby Development 12-18 months | 10m
- LSL intervention 12-18 months | 10m
- Parent Support | 13m
- Red Flags | 1m
Live Session Recording
1h 3m

Featuring

Tamara Elder
MS, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT
View Profile

Tamara Elder, M.S., CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT, is Director of Learning Programs with Hearing First, an educational endeavor of the Oberkotter Foundation. Formerly of Hearts for Hearing in Oklahoma City, Ms. Elder has more than 20 years of experience in providing family centered listening and spoken language services for infants, toddlers, and children with hearing loss working within a multi-disciplinary team approach. She is passionate about today’s opportunities for all families of children with hearing loss to listen and talk. Ms. Elder has served as President of the Oklahoma Speech-Language-Hearing Association in 2019 to 2020 and was the recipient of the 2015 Gwen Casey Award for Outstanding Clinical Service by the Oklahoma Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She is also a member of AG Bell, American Cochlear Implant Alliance, and the Oklahoma Association for Infant Mental Health.

Financial Disclosures: Tamara Elder receives compensation from Hearing First as Director of Learning Programs.

Non-financial Disclosures: Tamara Elder is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), holds Certification of Clinical Competency (CCC) from ASHA. She is a member of AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She holds Certification of Listening and Spoken Language Specialist, Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist. She is also a member of American Cochlear Implant Alliance and Oklahoma Association for Infant Mental Health.

Learning with Hearing First

Simple and straightforward — so you can focus on learning!

Getting Started

This is your central hub where you can stay up to date with the latest announcements, information, and your progress in this course. Helpful reminders will also keep you on track!

Learn More

Your Learning Progress

Wrapping Up

The Hearing First learning experiences are designed to foster the understanding and application of the science and art of audiology and LSL practice. The opinions and comments of facilitators and learners in these learning experiences are theirs and not necessarily the viewpoints shared by Hearing First. As a reminder, Hearing First Learning Experiences are governed by and subject to the Hearing First Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Community Code of Conduct, and we encourage all Community Members participating in a Hearing First Learning Experience to review our policies regularly. Hearing First provides free learning experiences to its community members, offering links to open-access resources (handouts, articles, videos) for educational purposes. While we've exercised our right to access and share these resources for charitable and educational use, we make no representations or assume liability regarding your rights. Please familiarize yourself with the publisher's copyright notices, restrictions, and requirements, and note that republishing is solely at your discretion. [ Read More ]

Hearing First is approved by the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language to offer Continuing Education Hours for Listening and Spoken Language Specialist (LSLS) certification. This program has been approved for a maximum of 8.00 CEUs. AG Bell Academy approval of this course is based on information shared by the approved provider. Views shared by the presenter(s) may not necessarily reflect the views of the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language either in part or whole.

Hearing First Introductory Level
0.80 ASHA CEUs

ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products or clinical procedures.