Once Upon a Sign By Jennifer McLellan, Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind Outreach Programs
Storytime in American Sign Language and spoken English bond the Deaf and Hearing communities, giving children the answers to the biggest questions of language and life. Stories define us, shape us, and create us.
Storytime through ASL helps children expand listening skills and comprehension. It also increases their ASL proficiency.
Larissa Powers, Pikes Peak Library District Librarian in Colorado Springs, notes the positive feedback the program has received.
We love this program! We come every month!
We couldn't find a library offering anything like this in our state, so we attend virtually every month, from New York.
“Feedback like this is what drives our collaboration between the Pikes Peak Library District and the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind as we continue to offer our monthly "Once Upon a Sign: ASL Storytimes,” says Powers. Our goal: Offer a fun and exciting early literacy experience for deaf and hearing families alike, and to build a foundation for lifelong ASL learning and early literacy.
The program features bright and colorful books chosen for their vocabulary, their engagement potential, and how much we enjoy them! Families who join learn new signs related to the stories, wiggle and move their bodies, and see their favorite stories signed by a Deaf role model. At the core of the program is attention to the fundamentals of early literacy and engaging children to learn and grow in multiple languages at once. Families who attend ASL Storytime can take away new ways to communicate together as they say "See you later, Alligator".
Parent and attendee Britni Day shared what the program means to her family and relates it to her life experience.
“Sieben, acht, neun, zehn,” I repeated after my elementary school teacher. I learned to count and do math in German before English, as I was enrolled in a German immersion school from first through 6 th grade. Reading books and playing games had a lasting effect on my life. I see this as I seek out people of different cultures, continue to use my language skills, and spend time with new people as they share their language and culture with me. I had always hoped for these experiences for my children but never dreamed we would be so beautifully thrust into learning American Sign Language (ASL) when our daughter was born hard of hearing. Each touch point with ASL and the wonderful people who speak it draws us into this community that has become so precious to us. One of those touchpoints is the Once Upon A Sign program from the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB) and the Pikes Peak Library District.
Coming into the room, I already know that getting my four kids back into the car when it’s time to head home will not be easy. They know we are here to see our Deaf teacher share a story, but they are in for so much more. My shy one lingers in the wagon. Friendly faces greet us while signing “hello,” and the rest of the event draws them in until each child is signing with new friends — both kids and adults. We are guided into a welcoming atmosphere by Deaf role models where play happens but learning is hidden just beneath the surface. As they play and watch the story being read each inhales the language in its most natural form, mastering the art of being patient. They are training their minds to notice the differences and similarities in people and to celebrate them. I see them bonding not only with each other but also with the amazing role models who are giving graciously of their time. My shy child gets out of her comfort zone of the wagon and flourishes because of those who see her and meet her where she is. She starts to sign despite her insecurity.
Each interaction creates stories that will be retold and cherished during the car ride home. My children will show me the new signs they learned and “help” me if I’m “wrong.” Learning to sign isn’t just something mom and the Deaf instructor made up. For our hard of hearing child, these touchpoints are critical for her to thrive as she learns to navigate her world. She won’t learn it without seeing ASL repeatedly in different settings. But as she sees more deaf and hearing people sign, she has become more comfortable. These reading events give her that opportunity.
On the way home, I reflect on our journey. My daughter has learned that she is not alone. Her hearing sisters have learned how to care for her and engage with her even when she can’t hear them in the ruckus and chaos of the room. They learned to sign with her and our baby as they have seen so beautifully modeled for them at the library. Watching different people sign helps them to see the “accents” of the language. Confidence is acquired. Relationships are built. You can’t help but be drawn in by the language, by the environment, by the people. These events and this community show them that their fears or misconceptions are worth overcoming. As I think back to sitting in that room, watching deaf and hearing people conversing together, I am reminded of the history of Martha’s Vineyard. And I wonder if I’m gently brushing up against what it would have been like for those 200+ years there where deaf and hearing people lived and communicated without barriers. My children came with curiosity but left the Once Upon A Sign event with so much more.”
Editor’s note: McLellan is the Colorado Shared Reading Project Liaison, Literacy and Language Instructor Consultant, and Early Literacy Lead with the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind. She thanks Parent Britni Day and librarian Larissa Powers for contributing to the article.