Mysteries and Children's Books
Spreading positivity starts at home.
Introducing kids to American Sign Language (ASL) at a young age sparks curiosity, builds empathy, and opens the door to a more inclusive world. My own journey with ASL began as a child when I learned a few signs from a Deaf family in my hometown. Those early moments of connection grew into friendships in high school, conversations in college, and eventually, a career as an interpreter.
Imagine a generation of kids who are comfortable signing with their friends, including Deaf kids in playgroups, classrooms, and teams—and someday, working alongside them with confidence and camaraderie. Together, we can build that future, starting with the tools you’ll find here.
We’ve gathered a mix of must-read articles, research on ASL, insights into Deaf Culture, and even some fabulous Deaf creators you’ll want to follow on social media. It’s not a complete list (that would be like trying to catalog every grain of sand on the beach), but it’s a solid starting point.
Activities for Kids
Learn signs from every Duke the Deaf Dog picture and chapter book from our YouTube videos by ASL teacher Amy Willman.
Watch the Duke the Deaf Dog picture book stories performed by ASL teacher Amy Willman.
Head over to the Downloads and Printables page to find coloring pages, puzzles, and more fun stuff for kids ages 3-10
Parent Tips
Visual Language: Parents are a child’s first teachers! Peggy Scherling, a mother of three Deaf children, shares her creative approach to raising bilingual kids with ASL and English. Discover how simple visual tips like labeling household items helped her children connect signs, words, and print—and how you can try it too!
Deaf Culture tips about making noise. In this video ASL Instructor Amy Willman explains etiquette about Deaf spaces and behavior.
Recommended Resources
Spotlight on Language First: Kelly interviews Dr. Kim Ofori-Sanzo https://kellybrakenhoff.com/spotlight-on-language-first-an-interview-with-kimberly-ofori-sanzo/
Sign language does not hinder speech development: https://www.gallaudet.edu/gallaudets-president-cordano-dispels-the-myths-of-language-acquisition/
Language development in deaf and hard-of-hearing children: https://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/national-resources/info/info-to-go/language-and-communication.html
More support for families: https://deafchildren.org/knowledge-center/asl-resources/sign-on/
Free ASL lessons! https://www.gallaudet.edu/asl-connect/asl-for-free/
ASL online classes: https://deafchildren.org/knowledge-center/asl-resources/sign-on/
VALIDEAF: An organization striving to end language deprivation for deaf children.
https://valideaf.org/
Learning more about cued speech: Learn to Cue
Deaf Owned Businesses
More details coming soon!
Deaf Social Media Creators
More details coming soon!
A note about deaf and Deaf
In our stories and on our website, when you see “deaf’”with a small “d,” it means someone might hear a little bit—or not at all—with one or both of their ears. But when you see “Deaf” with a big “D,” it means they are culturally Deaf and belong to a special community that often uses sign language to talk and share with each other. We use both words on purpose to show the difference between a medical condition and being part of a culture. Often you will see the word “Deaf” used as an inclusive term for all Deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and late-deafened children.