Language Resources
In addition to items on our website, here is a list of other resources which may be useful for learning more about language development.
Parent Tip Sheets
Below are eight different Parent Tip Sheets created for parents and caretakers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) to use with the support of an Early Intervention provider with experience working with children who are D/HH. Each Tip Sheet briefly describes the developmental process of infants and toddlers post-identified hearing condition for cognitive, social, emotional, language (semantics, syntax-morphology, pragmatics, phonology –auditory and visual), pre-literacy and literacy development. These Tip Sheets provide suggestions for parents and caretakers, for fun, everyday activities to enhance their baby’s development in these aspects! Hang these up on your refrigerator and pick an activity or two to include in your baby’s daily routine or when you are out and about exploring the world.
Language Development (links to pdf's below)
- Lang Dev - Phonology
- Lang Dev - Child Pragmatics
- Lang Dev - Semantics
- Lang Dev - Syntax and Morphology
Social Emotional Development
Visual Language Development
Cognitive Development
Early Literacy Development
Web Sites
Sign IT! is an innovative online curriculum for learning American Sign Language (ASL). The instruction is done by professional actors (both deaf and hearing) who are fluent in ASL and is highly interactive, entertaining, and engaging.
The American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) is committed to empowering all families with deaf and hard-of-hearing children and youth by embracing full language and communication access in inclusive environments through mentoring, advocacy, resources, and collaborative networks.
Cued Speech combines simple hand cues with natural mouth movements of speech to make all sounds of spoken language visually clear. Click here to learn for free.
CUESIGN
CueSign, Inc. believes in, supports, and promotes the importance of full, visual access to language for deaf and hard of hearing individuals through both cued languages and signed languages in all environments. Click here to learn more.
Info to Go. This site is designed to share information and provide resources with professionals and families on a variety of topics related to children and young people under 21 years of age who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Language Learning Through the Eye and Ear (webcasts)
This webcast will give early interventionists a foundational knowledge to engage in dialogue with parents and professionals about the neurolinguistic benefits of early exposure to visual language for all babies.
- Introduction
- Part 1 - Language Learning Through the Eye and Ear Webcast
- Part 2 - Language Learning Through the Eye and Ear Webcast
Setting Language in Motion
7 modules sharing critical information for promoting early language acquisition for young children who are D/HH. Captioned, ASL and Spanish versions.
The Hear to Learn website was developed to house the resources of the Utah State University Listening and Spoken Language program, Sound Beginnings, as well as bring people together and foster a community of learning. Hear to Learn offers a free monthly webinar series on a variety of topics related to the listening and spoken language development of children with hearing loss for parents and professionals.
Hearing First supports families who seek a listening and spoken language outcome for their child who is deaf or hard of hearing so they can reach their full potential. Hearing First provides free resources for families, caregivers, and professionals to support little ones as they learn to listen and talk, especially in the critical early days, months, and years.
Resources
First LSL Lessons - A family-friendly learning series to equip families with the essential knowledge and skills they need to support their child's early listening and language development.
SEE (Signing Exact English) Resources
Northwest School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children
Educational programming focused on language acquisition using both signed and spoken language for children birth to age three who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, free for families in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties in Washington State. The school also provides preschool through 8th grade instruction.
“Signing Exact English: A Simultaneously Spoken and Signed Communication Option in Deaf Education,” appearing in 2018 JEHDI (Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention)
This article describes Signing Exact English (S.E.E.), a system designed and demonstrated to encode grammatically accurate English, to support the development of speech, listening, English language, and literacy in children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
"Education, Employment, and Independent Living of Young Adults who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing” 2012 American Annals of the Deaf
An article about the postsecondary outcomes of 46 young adults who had attended for at least 4 years a non-public agency school in the northwestern United States specializing in deaf education based on a curriculum incorporating a grammatically accurate signing system.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Identify the Signs Campaign.
Strong speech and language skills are key to kindergarten readiness and reading, writing, and social success. This site has some key communication skills for children ages 3–5 and suggestions for how parents can help their preschoolers.
CDC Resources
Developmental Milestones Checklists/Free Milestone Tracker App/
Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye-bye” are called developmental milestones. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move (crawling, walking, etc.).
Click on the age of your child to see the milestones via this webpage or download a free app in English or Spanish.
Giving Every Child the Gift of Words: Vocabulary of Children with Hearing Loss
CDC funded research showing that early identification and intervention for children who are deaf and hard of hearing helps them develop communication skills and this site provides links to more information.
