We hit a snag in Bear's reading/writing progress - a speech disorder. I haven't blogged for a while because I completely lost confidence. Nothing seemed to be working out. We weren't making progress. I didn't understand what the problem was. Was it the method? Was it my application? A piece of the puzzle was missing... The first clue: We started playing the Montessori sound game a while ago. It seemed to be going well on level 1 - Bear was participating happily and seemed interested. I would say "I'm holding something that starts with 'p'" He would say "'ig". "I'm holding something that starts with 'd'" "'og" "something that starts with 'h'" "'orse" "something that starts with 'c'" "'ar" "something that starts with 't'" "''ee" We weren't able to move on to level 2. He wasn't saying the first sound of words. He didnt seem to realise the sound should be there. So I abandoned the sound games all together. I thought that maybe it was too early for him. Or maybe I wasn't doing it the right way. The second clue: Bear has a little friend who has spoken perfectly from 18 months old. Her mum recently said to me: "Vicky P was doing the funniest thing... She's been speaking in this strange way and I couldn't figure why... Then I heard Bear and I realised she's been imitating him!!" Hmmm... Is he speaking in such a strange way that she would think to copy him? He does speak in a funny way... The third clue: I was sitting at the table with the boys eating afternoon tea. Bear had brought a book to the table as he often does. He said to me conversationally: "av ite on oe ee an ee" To which I responded "pardon Bear?" "av ite on oe ee an ee" He patiently replied. "Sorry can you please say that again?" "av ite on oe ee an ee." "Sorry Bear. Again?" "Av ITE on oe ee an EE" "I'm sorry Bear. I'm trying to understand you. Can you please say it again?" Frustration building "Av ITE ON oe ee an EE!" Me: A look of apology and helplessness. Bear: "Av ITE ON oe ee an EE!" Me: A shrug Bear: Pointing to the ceiling and almost bursting with frustration "Av ITE ON oe ee an EE!!" Me: Finally understanding - "OOoohhh!!! Sorry Bear - 'Have the light on so we can see'!! I'll turn the light on for you right away!!" This scenario was happening more and more as his vocabulary was expanding and his sentences were getting longer. I was struggling to understand him. He was struggling to be understood. I arranged a speech assessment with a private speech pathologist and yes - he has errors that aren't developmentally normal. A second assessment with community health yielded the same result. A solution
Bear hasn't realised that some sounds exist. He can hear them and understand them but he hasn't realised he can make them. He needs to make them to be understood. There are lots of sounds he is missing! My judgement was right about the Montessori sound game. Bear isn't ready for Level 1 yet. He needs some extra preparation. He needs more help to become aware of the sounds he's neglecting. I have a lot of work to do to help him. We have a lot of appointments to attend. We have a lot of songs to sing and lots of games to play! I'm excited and relieved to be back on track. We know what the problem is and what we need to do about it. We have been given some beautiful homework that looks like so much fun. I can't wait to get started.
1 Comment
Simply.belinda
7/2/2016 09:38:32 pm
Congratulations on paying attention and finding it so early. Within this age group children are so very willing and able to learn once you find the right approach.
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My name is Vicky and I have 3 boys - Bear (10), Fox (8) and Wolf (6). Somehow I stumbled across Montessori and now my goal is to raise and educate my children with a Montessori approach in Dubbo. Archives
April 2024
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