Family Ed & Early Childhood

The Family Education and Early Childhood Department is committed to establishing, for each and every deaf and hard of hearing child and his/her family, the experience of an environment - at home, at school, and in the community - that promotes their early learning and development in the following:

Language and Literacy
Cognition
Social and Emotional
Physical: Gross and Fine Motor Skills
Visual Media: Drama, Music & Movement, Art
The Sciences: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and Social Studies

This goal is achieved through home visits, early childhood classes, and family workshops and events.

Bilingual Education at Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD)

MSD infants, like all infants, have the innate ability to learn languages.
MSD infants will acquire a natural language if that language is made accessible to them during the important early years of language acquisition.
MSD infants learn English as a second language, parallel to acquisition of American Sign Language (ASL). Infants' emerging thinking abilities and development of ASL have a direct relationship to their ability to learn English.
MSD recognizes the importance of and is committed to providing families with the support needed to develop strong language skills with their child who is deaf or hard of hearing.
All students in the Family Education and Early Childhood Department will have daily opportunities to acquire two languages through ASL and English in Reading and Writing; and enhance their auditory listening skills and spoken English.