The paper describes the enactive method, an alternative approach to introducing and teaching reading to young hearing impaired children. The method actively involves the child as a processor of the material rather than as a passive consumer. The approach is established for a short period of time each day until the student outgrows its original purpose. The teacher and child manipulate concrete objects within a setting, representing real-life or pretend situations, based on the child's interest and experiences. The child tells the story of the action, which is then recorded to serve as the basis of reading instruction. Advantages of the approach include its direct relation to recent experiences, its encouragement of creativity, its stimulation of language, the flexibility it promotes in grouping, and its perception by children as fun. Planning information centers on materials and sequences of lesson plans. Sample lesson plans are appended. (CL)