2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/10/2025 | 2:25 PM - 2:55 PM | Early Literacy: Reading Aloud with Very Young Children | 308
Early Literacy: Reading Aloud with Very Young Children
There are so many benefits for children when someone reads aloud to them, but overall reading aloud to children fosters their cognitive, emotional, and social development. Reading aloud to children is an important activity that builds a foundation for literacy development. Reading aloud has been identified by some educators as the single most important activity for ensuring reading success, and reading success leads to academic success. Creating a strong foundation for long-term reading success must begin when children are very young. This session will give an overview of the importance of early literacy skills and highlight strategies for making reading fun and engaging with children under three. Specific benefits of reading with young children that will be addressed include how reading aloud:
• develops vocabulary and language skills
• builds social skills
• strengthens cognitive development
• increases the development of early literacy
• develops emotional intelligence
• strengthens the bond between parent/caregiver and child
• improves concentration and focus
• improves active listening skills
• reduces stress and anxiety
• increases cultural awareness and knowledge
Research regarding the benefits of reading aloud to very young children will be provided to support the information provided in this presentation. Jim Trelease, author of The Read Aloud Handbook, explains in his book that researchers developed a common lexicon consisting of the 10,000 words used most often. The research explains that any word beyond those words is considered “rare” and states that children’s books provide 30.9 “rare words” per thousand. Thjs data makes obvious the critical importance of reading aloud to very young children and recognizes the rich vocabulary found in children’s books helps children when it comes to school readiness.
This presentation will also include challenges to reading aloud to very young children and strategies for overcoming those challenges. This presentation will be an interactive discussion, including participant comments and questions.
- The participant will be able to describe the importance of reading with very young children, whether using spoken language or sign language.
- The participant will be able to list at least two strategies to use when reading with very young children, whether using spoken language or sign language.
- The participant will be able to explain at least two strategies for overcoming the challenges of reading with very young children, whether using spoken language or sign language.
Presentation:
This presentation has not yet been uploaded.
Handouts:
3545975_18176Betsy MoogBrooks.pdf
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Liz Fales
(Co-Author), Moog Center for Deaf Education, lfales@moogcenter.org;
Liz is the Coordinator of the Moog Center School. She has been in the field of deaf education for over twenty years and has been a school coordinator for 12 years. Liz holds a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership and masters’ degrees in Early Intervention in Deaf Education and Educational Leadership. Liz is a certified teacher in Deaf Education, Elementary Education, and Early Childhood Special Education. Liz also has certification as a Building Administrator and as a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist. Liz provides tremendous support to families of children with hearing loss. She coaches families to enhance communication with their children and works closely with families to help them develop the skills necessary to advocate for their children. Liz has presented at workshops at the Moog Center as well as nationally.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from The Moog Center for Deaf Education.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with The Moog Center for Deaf Education.
Nature: .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Betsy Moog Brooks
(Primary Presenter), The Moog Center for Deaf Education, bbrooks@moogcenter.org;
Betsy Moog Brooks is the Executive Director of the Moog Center for Deaf Education. She received her Master degree in Speech and Hearing from Washington University and is certified in Deaf Education, Behavior Disorders, Learning Disabilities, Early Childhood Education, and is a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist. She holds a Doctorate of Education in Instructional Leadership with an emphasis in Andragogy, the study of adult learners. She has been in the field of early intervention for more than 40 years. Betsy is the author of the book, My Baby and Me: A Book About Teaching Your Child to Talk. She has lectured throughout the US, South America, and Europe. Betsy continues to provide direct child service and parent support to families with children birth to three. She has provided parent support through teleintervention for more than 10 years.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from The Moog Center for Deaf Education.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with The Moog Center for Deaf Education.
Nature: .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.