Family learning is essential to a child's early growth, and this list gathers the research behind it for Deaf and hard of hearing infants and toddlers. The studies show how early access to ASL supports vocabulary growth, why children need full language and not speech alone, how Deaf mentors benefit families, and what family-centered early intervention looks like in practice. Use it to ground family learning decisions and professional learning in evidence.
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A checklist early intervention providers use to build caregiver knowledge, confidence, communication access, and connections for families of Deaf and hard of hearing infants and toddlers.
A tip sheet families can use to put family learning into practice: ASL, book sharing, play, and everyday routines that support their Deaf or hard of hearing child's language and connection.
A tip sheet families use to understand name signs: what they mean, the Deaf cultural traditions around them, and how they support a child's identity and belonging.