Making Everyday Family Activities Fun and Accessible for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children

Making everyday family activities fun and accessible for Deaf and hard of hearing children does not require special materials or complicated plans. Some of the most powerful opportunities for learning language, building confidence, and strengthening family connections happen during ordinary moments at home. Playtime, reading, mealtimes, and daily routines can all support language and communication when approached with intention. With a few small, thoughtful changes, these everyday moments can become more accessible, engaging, and joyful.

At ASL Up, we believe families already have everything they need. Accessibility begins with connection, consistency, and being intentional about how we interact with our children. For young children, accessibility does not mean perfection or complex systems. It simply means helping your child clearly see what is happening, have opportunities to touch and interact, and actively participate in the experience. When children understand what is happening now and what will happen next, they are better able to engage and learn.

Across all activities, there are a few strategies that consistently support learning and accessibility. Getting your child’s attention before starting an activity helps create shared focus. Making activities visual, supports understanding and reduces frustration. Repetition—of routines, signs, and language—helps children make meaning over time. These strategies can be used during play, reading, daily routines, and transitions. They strengthen both communication and connection.

Play is one of the easiest and most natural ways to build language. Special toys are not necessary; everyday items like balls, blocks, stuffed animals, or household objects can all support learning. During play, modeling simple and meaningful signs such as “play,” “more,” “turn,” “wait,” and “all done” helps children understand what is happening and what comes next. Beginning play by first getting your child’s attention, then using consistent signs and taking turns, helps make play predictable, engaging, and accessible.

Reading and story time are also powerful opportunities for connection and language growth. Reading with young children is not about finishing the book or signing every word on the page. It is about interaction and shared attention. Pointing to pictures, signing key words, pausing to allow your child time to respond, and letting them touch and explore the book all support engagement. Some days a book may hold your child’s attention for several minutes, while other days it may only be a brief interaction. Both experiences are valuable. What matters most is the connection and communication that happen in those moments.

Daily routines often provide some of the strongest learning opportunities. Activities such as bath time, mealtimes, getting dressed, bedtime, and leaving the house are naturally predictable, and predictability builds understanding. When children know what to expect, they feel more confident and engaged. Repeating the same signs, words, and actions during these routines reinforces language in meaningful and practical ways.

Visual supports can also make everyday activities more accessible. Simple tools such as visual schedules, choice boards, or routine cards help children understand what is happening now and what will happen next. These supports do not need to be elaborate. Photos from your phone, printed pictures, or simple drawings are effective and easy to use. Visual supports are not only helpful in school settings; they can be incredibly powerful at home as well.

Many families share common concerns as they support their child’s language development. Worries about not knowing enough signs, a child not looking consistently, or a child throwing books or pictures are all common and developmentally typical. These challenges do not mean that something is wrong or that a family is not doing enough. Language learning takes time, and children communicate their needs in many different ways as they grow.

Supporting language development does not require expensive materials or perfect execution. Everyday routines matter, visual supports help children understand, and small steps practiced consistently can lead to meaningful growth over time. Most importantly, families should remember that they are their child’s first and most important teachers. Choosing one small strategy to try and building from there can make a lasting difference.

At ASL Up, we are here to support families every step of the language and learning journey.