Bookshine programme for deaf children

Feb 26 2009

The South Lanarkshire Bookstart programme has introduced a new Bookshine pack aimed at helping deaf and hard of hearing children.

The Bookstart programme has been gifting free books and guidance materials, through health care visitors, to babies and toddlers up to five years old in South Lanarkshire for the past decade.

Described as the 'flagship programme in Scotland' by Caroline McLeod, Bookstart National Development Manager for Scotland, South Lanarkshire's Bookshine is a new addition to the Bookstart programme.

To mark its introduction to the area, an interactive Bookshine 'Bookstart Rhymetime' session was held in Hamilton School for the Deaf which saw children, parents and staff in the nursery and Primary one class interact through a variety of songs and rhymes using materials particularly suited for deaf and hearing impaired children.

Jackie McGuire, Hamilton School for the Deaf's head teacher, said: "The Bookshine books all have colourful illustrations and some have different textures to touch and feel. Deaf children often learn in a very visual way, so encouraging an interest in reading at an early age can be crucial in their development."

There are 35,000 registered deaf or hearing impaired children in the UK with 90 per cent of them born to hearing parents with little experience of deafness. As a result, Bookstart recognises the importance of encouraging all parents and carers to enjoy books with children from as early an age as possible.

The Bookshine pack includes a touch and feel book, a book featuring simple British Sign Language (BSL) signs and an image of a child with a hearing aid as it is important that deaf and hearing impaired children see themselves in books.

The Bookshine books and accompanying materials have been chosen in partnership with the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) and parents of deaf children. The Booktouch materials were developed in partnership with the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) and parents of blind and partially sighted children.

Bookstart works with libraries, health visitors and early years professionals to give the gift of free books to every child, along with guidance materials for parents and carers.

Gaynor Adam, Bookstart Coordinator, South Lanarkshire Council, said: "All babies and children should be given the opportunity to learn about the joys of reading. We are very proud to be expanding the existing Bookstart range by offering parents of deaf children a selection of specially chosen books and advice.

"Bookstart aims to foster a love of books through a range of fun activities like Bookstart Rhymetimes and the Bookstart Book Crawl."

Any parent or guardian who is keen to receive a Bookstart pack can ask their health visitor or local library for details, or go to the Bookstart website (this link will open in a new window).

Councillor Mary Smith, Chair of Education Resources, said: "We are confident that the new Bookshine pack will provide many more families with the motivation and advice they need to help their children enjoy books from an early age."