LEAD-K is a national campaign to promote language acquisition and kindergarten-readiness for children ages 0-5 who are deaf and hard of hearing. Missouri passed House Bill 447, and The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is working to assist families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing by providing milestones for American Sign Language (ASL) and English language and literacy milestones for children 0-5 years of age. 

Missouri LEAD-K ASL/English Milestones and Checklist

ASL English Milestones Full Checklist | Early Connections

ASL/English Milestones with Missouri Early Learning Standards | Early Connections

ASL/English Milestones Checklist 0-3 Months | Early Connections

ASL/English Milestones Checklist 3-6 Months | Early Connections

ASL/English Milestones Checklist 6-9 Months | Early Connections

ASL/English Milestones Checklist 9-12 Months | Early Connections

ASL/English Milestones Checklist 12-15 Months | Early Connections

ASL/English Milestones Checklist 15-18 Months | Early Connections

ASL/English Milestones Checklist 18-24 Months | Early Connections

ASL/English Milestones Checklist 24-30 Months | Early Connections

ASL/English Milestones Checklist 30-36 Months | Early Connections

ASL/English Milestones Checklist 36-42 Months | Early Connections

ASL/English Milestones Checklist 42-48 Months | Early Connections

ASL/English Milestones Checklist 4-5 Year Olds | Early Connections

LEAD-K Annual Report and Assessments

LEAD-K Annual Report 2025

LEAD-K Proposed Assessment Chart | Early Connections

Related Resources

Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids (LEAD-K) Act | Early Connections