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Translate stories using
American Sign Language.
Focus on concepts and use lots of
fingerspelling.
Keep both languages
visible. Make sure the child sees
the signing, as well as the words and
pictures in the book.
Elaborate on the text. Add
explanations about the text to make
it more understandable.
R e read stories on a “ s t o r y -
t e l l i n g ” to a “story re a d i n g ”
c o n t i n u u m . The first few times,
make sure the child understands the
story. As the story is reread, focus
more and more on the text.
Follow the child’s lead. I f
the child just wants to read one
section of the book, follow him or her.
Make what is implied
explicit. Make the meanings clear.
principles
for reading to
deaf children
In 1997, David R. Schleper published 15 principles
for adults to use when reading to deaf and hard of
hearing children. These principles are:
Adjust sign placement to
fit the story. Sometimes sign on
the page. Sometimes sign on the
child. And sometimes sign in the
usual place.
Adjust the signing style to
fit the character. Be dramatic.
Play with the signs and show
appropriate facial expressions to show
and distinguish different characters.
Connect concepts in the
story to the real world.
Relate the characters in the book to
real events.
Use attention maintenance
strategies. Tap lightly on the
child’s shoulder or give a gentle
nudge to maintain his or her
attention.
Use eye gaze to elicit
participation. Look at the child
while reading when you want him or
her to participate or respond.
Engage in role play to
extend concepts. Act out the
story after you have read it.
Use American Sign
Language variations to
sign repetitive English
phrases. If you are using the
same phrase over and over again, sign
it in different ways.
Provide a positive and
reinforcing environment.
Encourage the child to share ideas
about the story and then support
those ideas.
Expect the child to
become literate. Believe in the
child’s success, and read, read, read!
Schleper, D. R. (1997). Reading
to deaf children: Learning from deaf
adults (manual and video).
Washington, DC: Gallaudet
University, Laurent Clerc National
Deaf Education Center.
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