Indigenous children will be better equipped to develop their hearing and language skills with an updated version of 'Talking Culture'.
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Launched last week through Hearing Health Services Central Australia, the clinical health resource ensures Indigenous families have a better understanding about hearing health and early speech and language development.
Designed for children up to five years of age, chief operating officer of the Central Australia Health Service, Sue Korner said it is crucial hearing health issues are identified early.
If not, children are at risk of developing below average language skills.
Talking Culture uses culturally responsive illustrated learning cards that promote two-way conversations and discussions between families and service providers.
The cards focus on hearing health and speech and language development strategies.
"These visual cards reflect Northern Territory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community life," acting manager of Hearing Health Services Central Australia, Rebecca Allnutt said.
"They contain generic, familiar and recognisable concepts to assist interactions and learning."
Talking Culture was developed in 2008 to address speech and language difficulties in young Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander children.
The illustrations were created by Darwin-based illustrator Elizabeth Howell and were trialled in the Central Australia communities of Willowra, Tennant Creek and Laramba.
Talking Culture will be distributed in Katherine this year.
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