Family Language Policy and Planning: Families with Deaf Children

This chapter discusses a Family Language Policy (FLP) and planning framework in relation to families’ language practices, language beliefs and attitudes, and language management with their young Deaf children. Family members are the key participants who create plans as well as policies for language practices within the family setting. Therefore, families play a critical role in facilitating children’s language development. The chapter discusses potential factors influencing families’ decisions and language choices for Deaf and hard-of-hearing children. The authors also share steps for collaborating with families in developing language plans to foster plurilingual development. In order for the family language plan