How Parents Support Home Literacy with Deaf Children

Six case studies of young deaf children from deaf and hearing families are presented. A model home literacy program at the Indiana School for the Deaf is described. Case studies and the home literacy program describe activities which link sign language and finger spelling to early reading and writing at home. Activities include the daily reading of whole storybooks, explaining environmental print, labeling drawings with letters and words, writing lists and notes to family members and playing and experimenting with writing.