Happy Hands welcomes Language First on Sep 18 & 19th! Scroll down for info on both sessions.
Parent/Teacher Workshop
Thursday, September 18, 2025
6:00 to 8:00 pm at Happy Hands
Language 1st Presents "The Power of Dual Languages: Creating Language-Rich Environments at Home"
Sponsored by The Lorenz Family Foundation Trust
Description: Creating a language-rich environment for Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children requires intentional and purposeful use of bilingual strategies. This two-hour session explores how pairing American Sign Language (ASL) with spoken language fosters optimal language, cognitive, and social-emotional development. Participants will learn the evidence behind bimodal-bilingual approaches, discover practical strategies for embedding ASL and spoken language in daily routines, and explore fun ways to create language-rich environments for DHH children. Through interactive discussion and real-world examples, we will examine why ASL and spoken language together provide a strong foundation for language development and discuss strategies for creating language-rich environments at home. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to foster a dual-language approach and create environments where DHH children can thrive.
Learner objectives / Participants will be able to:
1. Explain the benefits of a bimodal-bilingual approach (ASL + spoken language) for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) children’s language, cognitive, and social-emotional development
2. Identify at least three strategies they will use to create language-rich environments at home
3. State techniques to engage and empower families as partners in language growth.
Educator Workshop
Friday, September 19, 2025
8:30 am to 3:00 pm at Happy Hands
Description: Effective language intervention for Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children requires a strong foundation in both assessment and evidence-based practice. This session explores how bilingual ASL-English approaches can support optimal language, cognitive, and academic development. Participants will gain strategies for accurately assessing language skills in DHH children, planning targeted interventions, and integrating ASL and spoken/written English in ways that reflect current research and best practices. Through case examples, practical tools, and interactive discussion, participants will: learn evidence-based strategies for assessing language skills in DHH children, explore bilingual ASL-English intervention techniques, and learn how to align assessment data with individualized intervention planning. By the end of this session, attendees will leave with actionable knowledge to guide assessment, inform bilingual intervention, and ensure DHH children receive the language access they need to thrive.
Learner objectives / Participants will be able to:
1. Identify evidence-based practices for assessing language and communication skills in DHH children across modalities.
2. Analyze assessment data to inform individualized, bilingual intervention planning.
3. Apply strategies for integrating ASL and spoken/written English within intervention and instruction.
4. Develop a plan for implementing bilingual assessment and intervention strategies in their own professional settings.
Event Sponsored by the Lorenz Family Foundation Trust
