Utilizing Literacy Kits During Home Based Intervention to Foster Development of Familiar Language

Children who are deaf or hard of hearing tend to be delayed in the development of spoken language. The ability to communicate effectively is an important skill children need to succeed throughout their educational experiences. Many of the language concepts children learn are acquired through incidental exposure, such as overhearing. Children with hearing loss often miss language concepts learned through incidental exposure due to poor listening conditions. Early intervention has been shown to be effective in helping children who are deaf or hard of hearing acquire spoken language, especially when there is parental involvement in early intervention. Likewise, early literacy skills are linked to language development. Utilizing literature as a means of expanding and building upon current language development practices may provide additional opportunities for parent-child interaction that will aid children in their future educational environments