Advice from the experts

There’s lots of really useful advice around to help you support your deaf child in learning to read and to sign.

Throughout this section, you’ll find tips from parents and answers to FAQs.

But we’ve also focussed on advice from the UK’s leading deaf children’s charity – the National Deaf Children’s Society,

NDCS advice and resources

There is a wealth of helpful information in the NDCS publication Sign language and your deaf child which was first published in 2002.

The concise 42-page booklet provides a practical step-by-step guide - from starting to sign and signing to your deaf baby through to the use of sign language in schools.

It includes useful tips on maintaining eye contact, getting your child’s attention through tapping on the arm or leg, moving objects into your child’s field of vision or holding objects close to your face when signing about them.

It advises big, clear and slow signing for babies, strong facial expression and the use of constant repetition of signs. In the early years children will enjoy playing naming games, using familiar objects, toys and books.

The booklet carries guidance on discipline and signing, on book sharing, turn taking, and the importance of asking questions to ensure that information has been properly understood.

The NDCS also produces a free Family Sign Language Curriculum. It’s already available in print and by the end of 2009 should be available free on the internet to help all the family learn useful BSL.

More useful information at www.ndcs.org.uk