Kenya: Scaling Inclusive Early Learning for Deaf Children

The project explores whether a sign-rich environment in early education, combined with sensitizing parents, can lead to better school preparedness. By actively involving parents and fostering an intensive signing environment, the initiative seeks to provide a stronger foundation for children’s educational journeys.

The project is funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in Canada as part of the KIX Africa 19 initiative under the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (GPE KIX).

Kentalis International Foundation, as part of the project consortium, focuses on sharing its expertise and tools. We do this by providing training for local researchers and trainers in Kenya, Malawi, and Rwanda through our Parents Awareness Workshop, designed to educate and engage parents in the development of their children.

Additionally, we train research teams in Malawi and Rwanda to use our innovative Sign Language Assessment Tool. This tool is a cornerstone of the project’s data collection and helps to evaluate the impact of sign-rich environments on young children’s language development.

Throughout the project, we also offer coaching and guidance to local researchers and will collaborate on an academic publication to share findings and insights. This approach ensures that local teams are empowered, and the results contribute to a global understanding of effective strategies for supporting deaf children’s education.

Information about this project on GPE KIX's website can be found here.