Discovering the pleasure of storytelling : a case study of a deaf child

Abstract

"Stories go straight to the heart" (Hamilton & Weiss, 2005, p. 2). This study looks into the practice of storytelling with a profoundly deaf child. Seventeen intensive storytelling sessions were conducted through the use of oral and sign language, in different venues. Whereas fifteen of these were conducted on a one-to-one basis (the researcher and the deaf child), four children joined the child during the other two sessions. Attractive books and resources, creative drama, learning-based activities and experiential learning outings turned storytelling into an even more pleasurable experience. In order to support on-going research, questionnaires and interviews were used with professionals who had some experience with the deaf Results indicated that storytelling can be a powerful tool that deaf children may enjoy and learn from. Through storytelling, the subject of this case study discovered the pleasure of communication and improved his oral and sign language as he advanced from single words/signs to five or more word/sign phrases. He also improved his attention level, behaviour and eye contact. More so, the child made use of spontaneous expressions, participated actively in language teaching activities, grew confident in narrating a story to an audience and found pleasure in going to the library. Stories have truly gone straight to the child's heart!