School interpreters’ knowledge and understanding of childhood development is essential for providing effective and equitable support; it allows interpreters to tailor their approach to each deaf or hard of hearing student’s developmental stages and unique learning needs. This knowledge helps school interpreters facilitate access to the acquisition of academic concepts and social skills, fostering an inclusive learning environment where deaf and hard of hearing students can thrive. This knowledge includes, for example, language acquisition stages, cognitive development theories, socio-emotional development, diverse learners, bilingual education, communication strategies, and so forth. By incorporating this knowledge into their work, interpreters can better support the overall growth and educational success of deaf and hard of hearing students in K-12 settings.

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