Contributors present the latest information on both the new world evolving for deaf & hard-of-hearing children & the improved expectations for their acquisition of spoken language.

In what ways is development of deaf and hard-of-hearing babies and toddlers like that of those with typical hearing? What specific challenges are likely to be faced by child and parent - and when are they most likely to occur? What modifications in parenting and caregiver interaction can help or avoid these challenges? A strong, supportive foundation for optimal learning is achieved from early, positive, and responsive experiences. With Nurturing Language and Learning, Patricia Elizabeth Spencer and Lynne Sanford Koester provide the expert information and guidelines needed for professionals and parents in order to build that critical foundation.

Assists students using Language and Deafness, Second Edition in courses. For each chapter in the main text, the study guide provides questions and exercises designed to enhance students' understanding of important topics. Answers to comprehension questions are provided in the Appendix of the main text. Supplements Study Guide 156593-363-X - 6 x 9, 252 pages, 1-color, spiral Instructors Manual 156593-362-1 - 6 x 9, 112 pages, 1-color, paperbound

This book presents chapters by many eminent researchers and interventionists, all of whom address the development of deaf and hard-of-hearing children in the context of family and school. A variety of disciplines and perspectives are provided in order to capture the complexity of factors affecting development of these children in their diverse environments. Consistent with current theory and educational practice, the book focuses most strongly on the interaction of family and child strengths and needs and the role of educational and other interventionists in supporting family and child growth. This work, and the authors represented in it, have been influenced by the seminal work of Kathryn P. Meadow-Orlans, whose work continues to apply a multidisciplinary, developmental approach to understanding the development of deaf children. The book differs from other collections in the degree to which the chapters share ecological and developmental theoretical bases. A synthesis of information is provided in section introductions and in an afterword provided by Dr. Meadow-Orlans. The book reflects emerging research practice in the field by representing both qualitative and quantitative approaches. In addition, the book is notable for the contributions of deaf as well as hearing authors and for chapters in which research participants speak for themselves--providing first-person accounts of experiences and feelings of deaf children and their parents. Some chapters in the book may surprise readers in that they present a more positive view of family and child functioning than has historically been the case in this field. This is consistent with emerging data from deaf and hard of hearing children who have benefitted from early identification and intervention. In addition, it represents an emerging recognition of strengths shown by the children and by their deaf and hearing parents. The book moves from consideration of child and family to a focus on the role and effects of school environments on development. Issues of culture and expectations pervade the chapters in this section of the book, which includes chapters addressing effects of school placement options, positive effects of learning about deaf culture and history, effects of changing educational practice in developing nations, and the need for increased knowledge about ways to meet individual needs of the diverse group of deaf and hard of hearing students. Thus, the book gives the reader a coherent view of current knowledge and issues in research and intervention for deaf and hard of hearing children and their families. Because the focus is on child and family instead of a specific discipline, the book can serve as a helpful supplemental text for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in a variety of disciplines, including education, psychology, sociology, and language studies with an emphasis on deaf and hard of hearing children.

There is a robust body of knowledge suggesting that early language and literacy experiences significantly impact on future academic achievement. In contrast, relatively little has been written with respect to the early literacy development and experiences of deaf children. In Early Literacy Development in Deaf Children, Connie Mayer and Beverly J. Trezek seek to fill this gap by providing an in-depth exploration of how young deaf children learn to read and write, identifying the foundational knowledge, abilities, and skills that are fundamental to this process. They provide an overview of the latest research and present a model of early literacy development to guide their discussion on topics such as teaching reading and writing, curriculum and interventions, bilingualism, and assessment. Throughout, they concentrate on the ways in which young learners with hearing loss are similar to, or different from, their hearing age peers and the consequent implications for research and practice. Their discussion is wide-reaching, as they focus on children from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds, those with additional disabilities and hearing losses ranging from mild to profound, and those using a range of communication modalities and amplification technologies, including cochlear implants. With the implementation of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and advancements in hearing technologies that have heightened both the emphasis on literacy development in the early years and the importance of these years in the ultimate development of age-appropriate reading and reading outcomes, this timely text addresses a topic that has thus far eluded the field.

This text provides future and practicing teachers of deaf children with basic theoretical and research knowledge as well as specific principles and practices for fostering the development of language and reading. In this third edition of Language Learning Practices with Deaf Children, the authors have added a section on language assessment in Chapter 7 addressing high-stakes or large-scale testing and a new chapter on special programs, including ASLDEnglish programs for children from multicultural homes and technology for language learning. An Appendix has been added with an annotated list of Internet Web sites that may be useful to teachers, parents, and preservice teachers as well as others interested in language practices with children who are deaf. Language Learning Practices with Deaf Children describes the variety of language development theories and practices that are used with deaf children, without advocating any particular approach. Chapters 1 and 2 cover some of the accepted facts and known problems of language acquisition and instruction with hearing and with deaf children. Implications for language development in deaf children are discussed. Chapter 3 is a history of instructional practices in language development with deaf children to show continuity between present and past practices and to illustrate the recurring cycles of major language development approaches with deaf children. Chapters 4, 5, and 8 detail the major approaches of the present time: natural methods, structural methods, and American Sign Language-English as a second language (ASLDESL) as well as specialized programs for children from multicultural homes and technology as part of language learning. Chapter 6 discusses reading and writing, and Chapter 7 focuses on the assessment of language and progress monitoring of language development among school-aged children. Finally, Chapter 9 offers some reflection on the material in the book.