“Use typical literacy strategies. Many techniques used by parents and teachers for supporting literacy development for children without additional disabilities can be useful for all children. Examine the child’s unique needs and modify the technique as appropriate. For example, reading aloud to a child is always important. Children with additional disabilities benefit from listening to a story being read aloud just like children without disabilities. Some modifications might be needed, such as positioning a child who has a physical disability so he or she can be involved in the experience by examining and turning the pages of the book.”

Pogrund, R. L., & Fazzi, D. L. (Eds.). (2002). Early focus: Working with young children who are blind or visually impaired and their families. New York, NY: AFB Press.

Strategies that typically require a verbal response from a child can be accommodated by the adult inserting a pause, allowing time for the learner to process the information.  The adult should then verbally provide the answer themselves. This allows the opportunity for the child to think about what the answer will be, and then be provided with correct response.

Dialogic reading: An effective way to read to preschoolers

Dialogic reading is a well-researched and specific read-aloud strategy using a method of questioning and prompting to encourage children to think about the story as it is read. Whitehurst, G. J. (1992). Available from: http://www.readingrockets.org/article/dialogic-reading-effective-way-read-preschoolers

Center for Literacy and Disability Studies https://www.med.unc.edu/ahs/clds

Steps to Literacy developed by Deaf-Blind Network Literacy Work Group 2014

http://literacy.nationaldb.org/files/7614/2907/2212/Steps_to_Literacy_v2015.pdf

All Children Can Read: Literacy Skills Checklist

http://literacy.nationaldb.org/files/5813/7591/5452/LiteracySkillsChecklist.FooterAdded.pdf

National Braille Press                                                                                Great Expectations: Bringing picture books to life for blind kids                        http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/programs/gep/ge_index.html

Helping Young Children to Develop Emergent Literacy Skills

Paths to Literacy for students who are blind or visually impaired http://www.pathstoliteracy.org/helping-young-children-develop-emergent-literacy-skills

Eight tips to introduce reading to your young child who is blind                                            

 Paths to Literacy for students who are blind or visually impaired                                                                                                                http://www.perkins.org/stories/blog/eight-tips-to-introduce-reading-to-your-young-child-who-is-blind

Information about Emergent Literacy and Sharing Books with a Young Child with a Visual Impairment

http://www.aph.org/dolly-partons-imagination-library/suggestions/

Proper Trademark Notice & Attribution

ZERO TO THREE®  is a registered trademark of ZERO TO THREE/National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families Non-profit Corporation.