The new vision of childhood in "Il Corrierino dei sordomuti" (1928-1943)

Abstract

In 1928, the National Institute for the Deaf in Florence began publishing “Il Corrierino dei sordomuti”, an illustrated periodical that would be for the deaf and dumb an effective stimulus to reading and for the teacher a tool aimed at enriching the language of students suffering from hearing impairment.

"Il Corrierino dei sordomuti", while respecting the peculiarities and needs related to this specific disability, re-proposes the modern vision of childhood conveyed by the famous and almost homonymous "Corriere dei Piccoli". The newspaper for the deaf, with the graphic design modest and the texts short, reserves a space for fun with riddles and descriptions of outdoor games in addition to involving readers through participation in sweepstakes and a section dedicated to correspondence. The choice of the magazine to enhance the child in its characteristic features is also reflected in the exhibition form, rich in colloquial expressions.