Colorado Shared Reading Project (CSRP)

The Colorado Shared Reading Project (CSRP) is a free outreach service provided by the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB) for families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing, birth through age 8. CSRP helps families learn book sharing strategies to read effectively to their children using American Sign Language (ASL) while improving communication skills. Studies show reading to children is the most important activity parents can do to increase their child's reading success. How the Colorado Shared Reading Project works: > Once a week, a Language and Literacy Instructor (LLI) who is a native ASL user will teach you how to sign a popular children's storybook. > The visits are scheduled at a time convenient for each family. > Family members practice signing the story. The LLI gives feedback to family members. > Along with the book, the instructor will play games, share fun activities and suggestions for improving reading and communication skills. The Shared Reading Project was developed by the Clerc Center to provide support for parents and caregivers on how to effectively share books with their child who is deaf and hard of hearing. When parents effectively share books, there is a greater likelihood of an improvement in the reading ability of their child and it contributes to higher reading ability in school. Parents can participate in CSRP through in-home or web-based instruction.