Semin Speech Lang 2012; 33(04): 280-289
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1326914
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Literacy Strategies for Young Children: Considerations for Auditory and Visual Environments

Stefanie Spencer
1   St. Joseph's Institute for the Deaf, Kansas City, Kansas
,
Erin Schuweiler
2   Kansas State School for the Deaf, Olathe, Kansas
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 October 2012 (online)

Abstract

Literacy can be a challenging skill for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. However, there are a variety of strategies we can use with young children to develop literacy skills based on the type of communication chosen by their families. Specific auditory and visual considerations for applying the literacy strategies to maximize the child's learning are recommended according to the communication decision of the family. By analyzing these strategies from both an auditory and visual perspective, the service provider can easily model and support the families as they incorporate literacy activities into their daily routines. This article focuses on a few of the strategies that are important for helping children develop literacy skills, and highlights how these strategies could be incorporated in both auditory and visual environments.

 
  • References

  • 1 Downing J. Teaching Literacy to Students with Significant Disabilities: Strategies for the K–12 Inclusive Classroom. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press; 2005
  • 2 Morere D. Visual Language and Visual Learning Science of Learning Center. Washington, DC: Reading Research and Deaf Children (Research Brief No. 4); 2011
  • 3 Roberston L. Literacy and Deafness: Listening and Spoken Language. San Diego, CA: Plural Publishing; 2009
  • 4 Strong M, Prinz P. Is American Sign Language skill related to English literacy?. In: Chamberlain C, Morford J, Mayberry R, , eds. Language Acquisition by Eye. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.; 2000
  • 5 Cole EB, Flexer C. Children with Hearing Loss: Developing Listening and Talking (Birth to Six). San Diego, CA: Plural Publishing; 2007
  • 6 Erting CJ, Thumann-Prezioso C, Benedict BS. Bilingualism in a deaf family: fingerspelling in early childhood. In: Spencer P, Erting CJ, Marschark M, , eds. The Deaf Child in the Family and at School. Mahway, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates; 2000: 41-54
  • 7 Mayer C. What really matters in the early literacy development of deaf children. J Deaf Stud Deaf Educ 2007; 12: 411-431
  • 8 Erting CJ. Language and literacy development in deaf children: implications of a sociocultural perspective. In: Bodner-Johnson B, Sass-Leher M, , eds. The Young Deaf/Hard of Hearing Child. Baltimore, MD: Brookes Publishing; 2003: 373-397
  • 9 Schleper DR. Reading to deaf children: learning from deaf adults. Washington, DC: Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University; 1997
  • 10 Cochlear Limited. Theory of mind and distance learning. In: Cochlear HOPE Online (Re)Habilitation Resources. 2009 . Retrieved from: http://hope.cochlearamericas.com/theory-mind-and-distance-learning
  • 11 Gonzalez A, Quintana I, Barajas C, Linero MJ. The role of age and oral lexical competence in false belief understanding by children and adolescents with hearing loss. Volta Review 2007; 107: 123-139