31/10/2025
Reading to deaf children: Learning from Deaf adults
Do you ever wonder how to make story time even more enjoyable and meaningful for your deaf child?
Reading together is one of the most powerful ways to build your child’s language and literacy skills — but many hearing parents feel unsure about how to do it.
Research by David R. Schleper found that this uncertainty is common. To help, he identified 15 principles used by Deaf adults when reading to deaf children.
No matter which communication approach your family uses, these visually rich, child-centred principles can help you share the joy of books and support your child’s love of reading.
Read more about each principle — and see real-life examples — on our website:
https://www.aussiedeafkids.org.au/about-communication/literacy/reading-to-deaf-children-learning-from-deaf-adults/
Principle 1: Deaf readers translate stories using their native sign language
Principle 2: Deaf readers keep both languages (Auslan and English) visible
Principle 3: Deaf readers elaborate on the text
Principle 4: Deaf readers re-read stories on a "storytelling" to "story reading" continuum
Principle 5: Deaf readers follow the child's lead
Principle 6: Deaf readers make what is implied explicit
When a Deaf father read Little Red Riding Hood to his daughter, he explained how the wolf donned the clothing of Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother. Then the father added, “He is trying to fool the girl.”
Principle 7: Deaf readers adjust sign placement to fit the story
Principle 8: Deaf readers adjust signing style to fit the character
Principle 9: Deaf readers connect concepts in the story to the real world
Principle 10: Deaf readers use attention maintenance strategies
It is perfectly natural for Deaf children to occasionally look away or down at the book while an adult is signing a story. Most commonly, a parent will lightly tap the child on the shoulder or leg to get attention. If the parent is sitting alongside the child, the parent will often gently nudge the child or shift the book to first draw the child’s attention back to the text and then to the waiting parent.
Principle 11: Deaf readers use eye gaze to elicit participation
Principle 12: Deaf readers engage in role play to extend concepts
Principle 13: Deaf readers use sign variations to sign repetitive English phrases
Principle 14: Deaf readers provide a positive and reinforcing environment
Principle 15: Deaf readers expect the child to become literate
