Resources for Parents and Caregivers of Deaf Children
Language First is dedicated to providing parents of Deaf children with accurate and free information about their child’s language development.
advocacy letters
PARENT ADVOCACY LETTERS COMING SOON!
ASL READ ALOUDS
Each month we hold read alouds in ASL over Zoom. Books are shared virtually via Epic and signed in ASL by one of our Deaf team members. Click the button below to see the full schedule for 2024 and 2025, including which two books will be read each month as well as the Zoom link to join the read aloud. Please note that read alouds cannot be recorded due to Epic copyright laws.
ASL for parents
We hold monthly sessions over Zoom to teach parents signs related to the next month! For example, at the end of January, you will learn signs related to February (Valentine’s Day, Black history, etc.) so that you can use them with your child. Sessions are held late in the evening, after your kids have gone to bed. They are held in ASL with one of our Deaf team members and no interpreters. Click the button below to see the full schedule for 2025, including the topics for each month as well as the Zoom link to join the session.
ASL STories diRECTORY
This is a collection of hundreds of free videos of ASL retellings of your child’s favorite books, from the American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC).
Books with Deaf Characters
This is a growing list of children’s books that all feature signing Deaf characters, with information about whether the author is Deaf, a CODA, or an interpreter. Each title links to that book on Amazon. Check back often as new books are added.
BOSTON UNIVERSITY PARENT PACKET
This is a packet of information for parents that summarizes the research-based answers behind commonly-asked questions about language acquisition in Deaf and hard of hearing children.
CISIGN CAMPAIGN
Find out why it is so important to use a natural signed language like ASL with Deaf children who have cochlear implants (CIs) and how you can help raise awareness about this through our CISIGN Campaign!
Common ASL PHrases
We asked hearing parents what they said most often to their Deaf children and wanted to know how to say in ASL. Here is a list of the top ten and how to sign them!
deaf and hoh Commissions by state
This is a list of Deaf and hard of hearing commissions. Each commission should have an educational advocate that you can ask to join you in advocating for your DHH child. They can also help you get a lawyer and help you with doctors offices not providing interpreters for your DHH child.
DEAF camps
We are so excited to have collaborated with The Clerc Center to create a list of camps for Deaf children by state. Use the interactive map to click on your state and find a camp that fits your child’s interests and needs!
Educational Interpreter Standards
This information is organized by the National Association of Interpreters in Education (NAIE). Click on a state to see their standards for training and credentialing of educational interpreters.
DEAF MENTOR programs
This is a list of Deaf/Hard of Hearing Adult Involvement Programs by state, organized by National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management at Utah State University.
handouts
Browse free handouts, infographics, and resources related to ASL/English bilingualism and language development in Deaf children.
INTERPETER EIPA SCORES
What does your child’s interpreter’s Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) score mean? This resource explains how each EIPA level influences the quantity of information accurately interpreted to the Deaf child.
Language First's Favorite YouTube Videos
This is a list of some of our favorite informational YouTube videos related to ASL and Deaf culture, organized by topic.
Language First PARENT FACEBOOK GROUP
Join our Facebook group for parents of Deaf and hard of hearing children looking for resources and support from other parents using an ASL-English bilingual approach with their child.
LEARN ASL
This is a list of hyperlinked resources for learning ASL, both for you as a parent and for your child! Check back often as new ones are added frequently.
List of Pro-ASL Professionals
This list is organized by state. Professionals are listed with their email addresses and have agreed to help parents/caregivers who contact them get in touch with programs or resources in their state. Note: Professionals are NOT expected or required to provide any evaluation, treatment, or other direct services; they are simply a source for you to find local programming and support for your child.
RISE
Reading Involves Shared Experiences (RISE) is a free resource of videobooks signed by Deaf signers. It was created by Dr. Donna Jo Napoli and Dr. Gene Mirus and has more than 130 stories in over 30 sign languages with text and illustrations.
Virtual IEP SUPPORT SESSION
This session is a chance for parents of Deaf and hard of hearing children to get support and ask questions related to their child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP). A Deaf teacher of the Deaf (TOD) will be there to answer your questions, and an ASL-English interpreter will be provided. The next session will take place via Zoom on March 13, 2024 from 7-8 pm ET. Once you sign up, you will receive a Google Calendar invite with the Zoom link.
WORDLESS SHORT FILMS
This is a growing list of wordless short films that are great for targeting language with your Deaf child! Wordless short films can be used to help teach a Deaf child about the structure and sequence of a story without the confounding variable of listening.
WORDLESS PICTURE BOOKs
This is a growing list of wordless picture books that are great for targeting language with your Deaf child! Wordless picture books can be used to help teach a child about the structure and sequence of a book, as well as preliteracy skills such as book orientation and page-turning, without the pressure of reading exactly what is on the page.
STATES WITH LEAD-K LEGISLATION
States highlighted blue on the map have LEAD-K legislation as of February 2023.
