Deaf-friendly storytime tips

Books – whether in paper or digital formats – can help build vocabulary and support our wellbeing. And experimenting and exploring through stories can help children feel more prepared for the ‘real’ world. 

Particularly for younger readers, books often use repetition and rhythm to engage readers. As words are repeated in a fun and engaging way, deaf children can link words or sounds to pictures, movements, lip patterns and even facial expressions — building both communication skills and a love of stories.

Here are a few tips to build into your practice to support deaf children with reading and storytime.

• Keep an open mind. Let your child lead. Notice what they enjoy, and lean into that. Reading comics, cookbooks and LEGO manuals are all valid options. Get them to point out themes or the parts of the story they like the most.
• Use a book stand. If you find it easier, try propping the book you’re reading on a stand so they can see your face and sign space, as well as the page. This can also help children connect what you’re saying or signing to the page.
• Keep it interesting. Vary your expression and tone to make your voice exciting and help children tune in to your speech sounds. If you’re signing, remember the importance of big, lively movements that keep their attention.
• Explore other storytellers. Whether you struggle with storytelling or just want other options, try getting friends and family members to tell a story. Options like audiobooks or CBeebies Bedtime Stories are great, too! (If you sign, check out ‘Can Bears Ski?’ signed by Rose Ayling-Ellis!)
• Help them see themselves. Lots of children love seeing themselves reflected in the world around them – whether that’s literally (in a mirror) or by seeing other characters that are similar to them. Stories featuring deaf characters who use the same hearing devices or communication methods can help children find that joyful connection!
• Make your own book. Making your own book or using family photobooks can be a great way to tell (or retell!) stories. You can even use sticky notes to create your own lift-the-flap book. If you have an old book, don’t throw it away; use it as a base, and have fun figuring out what comes next.
• Above all, don’t give up. Young children have very short attention spans and may not focus for long, and older children can go through phases of not wanting to read as much. Reading little and often with children can make a huge difference to their skills and help them develop a love of books that will benefit them throughout their life.

"My husband bought our deaf daughter a dragon to help settle her and keep her ‘safe’ during the night. He’s created stories about her and the dragon going off on adventures during their dreams – and used an AI image generator to create pictures of her and her dragon in ‘Dreamworld’. He then did this for our hearing daughter to help her feel included – although she has a different dragon. They love it so much!” 

-Rachel is mum to Aurora, age 7

Choosing books together

Stories are one way we can explore different cultures, languages, expressions, accents and experiences. Whether you’re looking through your shelves at home or browsing the shelves at your local library or bookshop, you can get your child involved and make the choosing experience fun and exciting for them. 

And it doesn’t need to be expensive to source books, either. Many libraries across the UK allow you to request children’s books from across your county for pickup at your local branch.

You might want to check with your child’s Teacher of the Deaf or educators, as they can help you find more books. Lots of children’s librarians also love helping children and young people build a love of reading, so check in your local library to see if they’ve got any suggestions. Our page on deaf-friendly stories features some suggestions (including our free comics) that you might want to check out, too. 

Involving your deaf child in storytime 

We’ve collaborated with BookTrust, who are dedicated to getting children reading. They offer two Bookstart Shine packs, which families in England can access through health visitors, health clinics, early years settings and local libraries. But their digital resources are accessible to families across the UK.

Their booklet titled ‘Bookstart Shine: A guide to enjoying books and reading with deaf children’ is packed full of deaf-friendly storytime tips such as:

• Why share books with children? Sharing books with children can help develop language and literacy skills while also supporting children’s wellbeing and the bond between parents and children. Young children love and need repetition, so it's OK to read (and re-read) a book!
• Choosing books Getting them involved in choosing books – such as visual, pop-up or ‘touch and feel’ ones for younger children – can help. Books about everyday routines or picture dictionaries can help them understand meanings and make connections.
• Sharing books Changes to where you sit, how you hold the book (for example, propping it up in a book stand) or your environment can help make storytime more accessible for deaf children. Let them touch the books, turn the pages and ask (or answer!) questions.
• Moving along As your deaf child grows, encouraging them to play more of a role in telling and talking about stories can boost their confidence. You can even take turns reading a page. Get them to look out for new letters, words or signs – and try fingerspelling or signing new ones, too!
• Keeping it fun From funny facial expressions to dressing up and using real-life props, there are lots of ways to bring stories to life. Focusing on facial expressions and emotions can help build empathy skills, too.
• Books to enjoy There are many wonderful books out there to explore. Both the booklet and our page on deaf-friendly stories feature books and stories with positive images of deafness.

Making it easy for your child to be as involved as possible in storytime helps keep them interested, improves their concentration and helps them learn skills they’ll use both in and out of school!

Telling stories in sign language

When you're telling stories to your child in sign language, the most important thing is not the speed of your signing but your clarity and accuracy. Here are a few tips.

• Make sure your child can see the book, your face and the signs you are using. (You could use a book stand to make it easier.) This will help them to understand how the elements of storytelling are connected together.
• Make sure there's plenty of light on you so your child can see your facial expressions and signs easily.
• Use eye contact to keep their attention.
• Use lots of facial expressions to show how characters feel.
• Try and use gestures and mannerisms that fit the characters in the story, like being big, loud and heavy for an elephant and small and timid for a mouse.
• If you're using your voice, use different voices for different characters. Even if your child can’t hear your voice, they'll pick up on those elements of the characters by lip-reading and watching your gestures and expressions. Remember, keep storytelling fun, and be as expressive as you can.

Techniques for signed stories

Story time is a fun way to introduce your child to new and exciting worlds that help them develop their attention and engagement, grow their imagination, and learn new vocabulary. Watch our videos to find out about different techniques for telling stories using sign language. 

• Storytelling using characters Watch this about Mel the monkey on YouTube, and see how our storyteller changes his body language or facial expressions to become the different characters. You can use facial expressions and body language during storytime to help bring stories to life.
• Storytelling using outdoors Using real people, animals and places – like our storyteller has done in this YouTube video about a family of ducks – adds life to your stories. Try using real people, animals and places in your stories.
• Storytelling using pictures In this illustrated YouTube video about a very hungry dog, our storyteller uses simple signs and gestures to explain what’s happening in each picture. If you watch the video with your child, you can help them see how the storyteller uses facial expressions to show the dog's hungry or that mum was angry.
• Storytelling using props Watch how our storyteller uses props (like a teddy bear) in this lovely story about Arthur the Bear (YouTube). Try using one of your child’s toys to explain emotions, or let your child tell their own story using one of their toys. Even older children like dressing up as their favourite characters. (This is sometimes called 'cosplaying'.)

Be creative 

Whether you’re telling or signing your own story, there are lots of ways for you and your child to have fun with making up new stories together. Here's some helpful tips to get your creative juices flowing!

• Don’t feel you always have to follow the written text. As your sign language skills develop, you'll be able to adapt the story to suit the signs your child knows and understands.
• Involve your child. Let them move the story along by making decisions for characters or events in the story if they want to.
• Play around with the endings of stories. Ask your child how they think the story should end, or get them to say what they think might happen next.
• Encourage your child to put themselves into the story. Ask them what they would do if they were the main character.

World Book Day

Every year in March, World Book Day is a celebration of reading, imagination and creativity. For deaf children, it’s important to ensure that the day is accessible and inclusive. With a few thoughtful adjustments, World Book Day can be an empowering and fun event for all children.

1. Choose books with deaf characters and/or sign language

One way to make World Book Day more inclusive is by highlighting books that feature deaf characters or incorporate sign language. Stories like ‘My first book of sign language’ or ‘Freddie and the fairy’ by Julia Donaldson help introduce young readers to the experiences of deaf individuals and can encourage understanding and empathy.

2. Offer sign language support

If your child’s school or your local library is planning an event, encourage them to think about incorporating signing storytellers (or British Sign Language or Irish Sign Language interpreters) to bring books to life.

3. Use visual and auditory cues

Deaf children often rely on both visual and auditory cues, so consider using captioned audiobooks or videos with clear images, captions and sign language. When telling stories out loud, use gestures and facial expressions to complement the spoken words. This will ensure that all children can follow the narrative in a way that works for them.

4. Encourage inclusive costume ideas

For many, dressing up as your favourite character is an essential part of World Book Day. Encourage children to think about deaf heroes, including those from books or real life, such as the El Deafo. Having costumes that reflect the diversity of deaf culture and representation will not only be empowering but also foster inclusivity among peers.

5. Adapt book lists

When putting together reading lists for World Book Day, make sure to include books that are accessible to children with hearing loss. Look for titles that come with sign language guides, include visual storytelling or offer tactile learning elements to engage deaf children.

By taking these small yet significant steps, World Book Day can become a celebration of inclusivity, where all children feel seen, heard and valued.