The Shared Reading Project at CSDB

The Shared Reading Project is being implemented at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind this year. The Shared Reading Project (SRP) is a nationally acclaimed program that helps promote early literacy in young Deaf and Hard of Hearing children.  Deaf tutors teach parents and caregivers how to read effectively to their Deaf and Hard of Hearing children using American Sign Language and how to use strategies to make book sharing most effective.

Culturally diverse Deaf readers were videotaped as they used American Sign Language to read fun, predictable children's books. Because children love seeing these books read over and over again, the parents have repeated opportunities to practice. Deaf tutors visit the home to demonstrate how to sign the stories, and provide instant feedback to family members. The family uses the videotapes of deaf readers signing the story to reinforce the new signs after the tutor has left.

Research shows that parents who read to their children improve the children’s ability to learn to read. The Shared Reading Project is being implemented and used throughout the country with great success.

Colorado Shared Reading Project was established last year with 15 families throughout Colorado Springs and Denver.   It was expanded to 45 families throughout Colorado during the 2002-2003 school year.  SRP is currently offered in the Pike’s Peak region, Denver metro, Pueblo, Greeley, Cortez and Montrose.  Colorado SRP will expand to other sites during the 2003-2004 school year.

If you are interested in participating in SRP or for more information please contact, Deb Branch at dbranch@csdb.org or Cathy Bennett at cbennett@csdb.org or call 719-578-2221. We would be happy to present to your school or parent group and are recruiting participants for the 2003-2004 school year. We are also looking for Deaf tutors throughout the state of Colorado.

For more information, you can visit the Gallaudet SRP Website .