Literacy strategies for young children: considerations for auditory and visual environments

Literacy can be a challenging skill for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. However, there are a variety of strategies we can use with young children to develop literacy skills based on the type of communication chosen by their families. Specific auditory and visual considerations for applying the literacy strategies to maximize the child's learning are recommended according to the communication decision of the family. By analyzing these strategies from both an auditory and visual perspective, the service provider can easily model and support the families as they incorporate literacy activities into their daily routines. This article focuses on a few of the strategies that are important for helping children develop literacy skills, and highlights how these strategies could be incorporated in both auditory and visual environments.