Frequently Asked Questions
- I have concerns about my child's speech and language. Who should I contact?
- What can I do to help my child learn to read?
- How can I help a struggling reader?
- What is normal speech sound development?
I have concerns about my child's speech and language. Who should I contact?
If you have speech or language concerns about your child, please
share your
concerns with his/her classroom teacher. The speech-language
pathologists
consult reguarly with classroom teachers.
What can I do to help my child learn to read?
The anticipation of learning to read is both exciting and anxiety
producing for both children and parents alike. The National
Reading Panel compiled five components of reading that research
has shown are necessary to learn to read successfully.
•Phonological/Phonemic Awareness- Phonological awareness
is a child’s awareness that spoken language consists of
sentences, words and syllables. Clapping out syllables of words
and rhyming are examples of phonological awareness. Phonemic
awareness is a child’s ability to manipulate individual sounds
(phonemes) in words. Examples of this include identifying the
first sound in words, separating words into individual sounds and
blending sound together.
•Phonics-Phonics is the ability to develop and use letter-
sound relationships to pronounce written words. Understanding
what sounds letters make allow a child to sound out words he/she
has never seen before.
•Vocabulary-Vocabulary is words a child must understand to
communicate effectively. Vocabulary plays an important role in
reading because one must know what a word means while reading to
comprehend it.
•Fluency-Fluency is the ability to read with speed,
accuracy and appropriate expression. When one reads fluently the reading is
smooth and has expression. Research compiled by the National Reading Panel
suggests reading fluently increases
comprehension.
•Comprehension-Comprehension is the understanding of what
is read. Readers who have good comprehension are able to draw
conclusions about what they have read.
If your child has difficulty in any of these areas learning to
read may be difficult.
How can I help a struggling reader?
Struggling readers may have difficulty in one or more of the five
areas of reading. Parents can provide struggling readers with
help at home.
Phonological/Phonemic Awareness-
•Play word games – help your child identify words that
begin with different sounds.
•Make up silly sentences with words that begin with the
same sound (Sally sells soap.).
•Playing rhyming games and sound blending games.
•Read books with rhymes.
Phonics
•For a younger child help him/her learn the letters and
sounds of the alphabet.
•Help your child connect what he/she sees on a sign,
newspaper, cereal box etc. with what she/he is learning is school about
letters and sounds.
•Encourage your child to write and spell notes using what
she/he knows about letters.
Vocabulary
•Engage your child in conversations every day.
•Read to you child every day. Take time to define new
words and summarize the story. When done reading engage your
child in a discussion about the book.
•Encourage your child to read.
Fluency
•Read aloud to your child.
•Give your child books with predictable vocabulary
•Use books on tape and have your child follow along with
the printed book.
Comprehension
•Discuss with your child what he/she has read
•Help your child make connections between what he has read
and personal experiences.
•When reading to your child read in short sections making
sure you child understand each part.
•When answering questions, have your child go back to the
text to support her/his answers.
What is normal speech sound development?