April 2024

April 15, 1817

The American School for the Deaf, the first public permanent school for deaf children in the United States, was opened.

Located in West Hartford, Connecticut, the school provides comprehensive educational programs and services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Today in History

April 8, 1864

President Abraham Lincoln signed the legislation authorizing the establishment of Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the world's first college for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Here, students live and learn using American Sign Language and English.

Today in History

Talk to your baby as you give them a bath, feed them, and get them dressed. Talk about what you are doing and where you are going. Tell them who or what you will see.

Point out colors and shapes.

Count what you see.

Add on to what your baby says. When your baby says, "Mama," say, "Here is Mama. Mama loves you. Where is baby? Here is baby." 

Use gestures, like waving and pointing.

Read to your child. You don't have to read every word, but talk about the pictures. Choose books that are sturdy and have large colorful pictures. Ask your child, "What's this?" and point. Wait for them to name the object or model it for them. 

Repeat what your child says to show that you understand. Add on to what they say. Use words like, "Want juice? I have juice. I have apple juice. Do you want apple juice?"

Show pictures of familiar people and places. Talk about who they are and what happened. Try making up new stories.

Help your child learn new words. Name body parts, and talk about what you do with them. "This is my nose. I can smell flowers, brownies, and soap."