23.08.2010
autism awareness, resources, tools
The number of children diagnosed with autism increases daily. The importance for early screening is becoming more and more relevant and more popular amongst pediatricians.
Although the cause and cure for autism are unknown, we do have ways to advocate it. Through speech, behavior, and occupational therapy the effects and symptoms of autism can be reduced. Here is a site that can tell you what to expect from an autism screening and the tools that will be used to administer it.
For more information, please visit the following link:
http://www.firstsigns.org/screening/asd.htm
17.08.2010
resources, tools
Learning is the ability of an individual to absorb information and later use it for problem solving. It is the foundation of intelligence and cognition. But just because an individual has trouble learning does not make them unintelligible; it just means their technique for gripping information is different. Everyone is different and therefore has a different learning style.
What is a learning style?
A learning style is a variant approach for inputting information. There are different approaches for learning, and some may benefit some individuals more than others. It is important for us to know which is our unique learning style. It will improve our learning skills and facilitate an easier way to intake information.
For children, this can often times be a little tricky. Parents should observe their child and the way they learn; it will not only benefit their child but also improve parent’s techniques for helping their children with homework and studying. Eventually, children do grow into preteens, teens, and adults. It is important for them to know what their best way of learning is.
Knowing your child’s learning style is extremely important; but it is specifically important for children with special needs. If your child is learning disabled or has ADHD, therapists and teachers will try different methods to advocate learning. If they know how your child learns best, then it will make the process a whole lot easier.
4 Types of Learning Styles
There is an assortment of learning models. But the one that we are going to focus on is Flemming’s VARK model, which is based off a neurolinguistic approach.
There are four styles of learning; each involving our receptive senses. Some people may only use of them while others may use all. Let’s take a deeper look into what each style entails.
1. Visual or Spatial Learner- this type of learner requires visual learning. These learners will learn through visual stimulus. In other words they learn through observation of images, pictures, words, colors, and maps in order to organize and process information. These individuals can easily “picture” thoughts in their minds, and problem solve without the need of a paper or concrete map. They are usually excellent with directions because they can map themselves through routes. Students who are visual learners will be fans of drawing diagrams and using pictures for studying.
2. Auditory Learner- these are the ones that you see distracted doodling on their notepad in class; yet pass their exams with passing grades. That is because they learn by listening. How lucky are they! These students will hear their professor speaking and will store information instantaneously. When they study, they speak out loud to themselves and like to explain information to others. They may even repeat things over and over again as a method for memorizing. Unfortunately, they do have a flaw, selective attention. Any little auditory distraction may cause them not to process information correctly!
3. Tactile or Kinesthetic Learner- these individuals learn by using the sense of touch. They may feel or use certain body movements in order to intake information. They will most definitely have great hand-eye coordination and most likely good athletes. These are the “hands on” students that feel that they need to touch, and feel things in order to understand them. Their excellent project makers! Anything that allows them to use the sense of touch is a great source for facilitating learning. Finger painting, blocks, and art materials are all wonderful tools to use with them.
4. Reading and/or Writing Learner- this style administers to learning by writing, and reading things over and over again. It is sort of a memorization method. Good note takers usually have this learning style; they will most likely organize themselves with lists and notes. Highlighters, different colored pens, and other tools to differentiate headings, titles, and sections are usually used when studying, particularly when doing outlines. These are the students who use flashcards for everything, and carry an assortment of papers with them everywhere in school. They’re also the ones with the nicely organized binders!
What Learning Style Are You?
You may click on the following link to find out what learning style you are.
http://www.ldpride.net/learning-style-test.html
Here’s a link for your middle schoolers!
http://www.scholastic.com/familymatters/parentguides/middleschool/quiz_learningstyles/index.htm
Reference:
Vark: a guide to learning styles. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.vark-learn.com/english/index.asp
20.04.2010
articulation, reading, tools
A, B, C, D, E, F, G…the alphabet song is usually the method used to teach children their alphabet. Although the alphabet song does help, it usually causes children to memorize the melody of the song rather than the actual letter. Especially in the L, M, N, O, P part, it sounds more like “elemeno-pee” than the pronunciation of the letters! After a little research, and using my own creativity, I found a few ways that may help you teach your child the alphabet rather than using the traditional ABC song. The alphabet is the foundation of many important skills that your child will develop in the future; without it reading and writing will not be possible.
Knowing the letters is essential, but more important than that, is knowing the sounds of the letters. Reading is usually taught by sounding out the letters and making a word out of the sounds. If a child cannot match the letter A with its corresponding “aaah” sound, then reading is going to be a difficult task. It is important to begin preparing your child for reading at an early age, and exposing him/her to educational resources, it will help them in the long run. Reading is not easy, and most children will have difficulties with it. Although it is tough, it is very rewarding when they tell you “mommy! Look what I can do” and they recite the entire alphabet, and even more exciting when they read their first word.
Fun & Free Online Games:
Here are some online games that are fun and interactive. I actually played these myself and I found them to be both entertaining and educational.
Alphabetical Wack-A-Mole!
This is a fun game to play with your child. It offers good practice of visual and memory skills. It requires the child to not only place the letters in alphabetical order but also to remember the last letter they wacked! Moles pop out of a hole while holding a paper with a letter of the alphabet on it. The goal of the game is to “wack” the moles in alphabetical order.
Below is a link that directly takes you to the game:
http://www.playkidsgames.com/games/wam/wam.htm
Alphabet Book Game
This game asks for you to put the alphabet letters in order. This game helps develop visual skills because it requires the child to look for the correct letter that is jumbled up within the books. This game is a little bit trickier, but still a good source for learning.
If you click on the link below, you can play the game:
http://www.playkidsgames.com/games/alphabetGame/alphabet.htm
ABC Zoo:
This one is not really a game, but more of an interactive website. Depending on your child’s age, you can choose “infant” or “toddler.” For infants, you can press any key on your keyboard and the letters of the alphabet will pop up and show you an animal that begins with that letter. For toddlers, the website is much more interactive. You can choose to sing the ABC song, as the letters of the alphabet pop up, and then, you can click on the different letters of the alphabet and it will show you an animal that begins with that letter.
Try the link below, to play the game:
http://www.fisher-price.com/us/fun/games/abczoo/default.asp
Other Fun Ways to Learn the ABC’s
ABC Album:
This will develop you child’s creative skills, as well as help them recognize the letters of the alphabet and match them to items.
Here is what you need:
• A three ring binder
• Construction Paper (or regular computer paper is fine)
• Scissors
• Glue Stick
• Markers, Crayons, or Colored Pencils (your choice)
• Three hole puncher
• Optional: Magazines
You and your child are going to create an album of the letters of the alphabet with a picture to go along with the letter. On the front side of the paper, have the child write the letter, and on the backside, have them draw a picture of an object, or thing, that starts with that letter. Other ideas: rather than drawing it, you can look for objects in your house that start with the letter, take a picture of it, and then put it on the back of the paper, or you can also look for pictures in a magazine. This is a fun activity for both you and your child, and it will allow you to have some quality time with him/her!
Connect-the-Alphabet:
Remember playing “connect the dots?” Well, in this game, instead of using dots, we’re going to use the letters of the alphabet. Below, I will post a template that you can copy and paste into a word document and print for your child to use. You can make your own as well, just write the letters of the alphabet mixed up in 5 rows, and 6 columns (remember to include all the letters!), and then your child can connect the letters in the proper order. You can also use this with numbers.
A C F U T
D B V S O
E F R W A
H G A Q X
J I P O Y
K L M N Z
I personally love the Fischer Price website, it is very kid friendly, and it is appropriate for infants and toddlers as well. On that website, there are many other fun games and interactive sites, not only regarding reading, but also numbers, shapes, and colors.
I believe all these methods will be helpful in facilitating your child’s learning and understanding of the alphabet. You can always modify these ideas to your child’s needs. Also, you can modify them and use things your child is interested in. Creativity is essential; you can use almost anything to teach your child the alphabet.
Give your child the tools they need to succeed in their education, and begin prepping them early. The ABC’s and 123’s are just the beginning of the long road that lies ahead. And with your help and commitment, that long road may not be as bumpy as it could be.
Cristine R. Jimenez
Language Stimulation Specialist
Speech Therapy Center, Inc.
26.10.2009
tools
Dear parents and allied professionals,
We ran across this information on our monthly professional newsletter and
thought it was noteworthy for passing along. Please do
comment and let us know if these links are useful. Also feel free to post additional links that you feel are helpful.
Barb & Bec
Here are the sites:
Interactive Literacy Activities for Kids
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/interactive/literacy.html
Read Right Think
www.readwritethink.org
Online Language Arts Games
www.teachervision.fen.com/reading-and-language-arts/games/5831.html
Funbrain
www.funbrain.com/kidscenter.html
Internet for Classrooms
www.internet4classrooms.com
Shared Activities-Choose a subject area that interests you, and then browse through thousands of learning activities.
http://www.quia.com/shared/
Language Guide
www.languageguide.org/english/
Scholastic Helping Children Around the World to Read and Learn
www.scholastic.com
Education Place
www.eduplace.com
Funschool
http://funschool.kaboose.com
Enjoy
