Day: June 17, 2024

Writing assignments can be overwhelming and challenging for kids with a language disorder. The following are steps or “chunks” that can be utilized for a variety of writing tasks to support your child in completing the assignments. Review the type of writing: Determine what type of writing is needed to complete the assignment (e.g., persuasive, narrative, analysis, research, etc.). List the tasks and develop a timeline: Generate a to-do list for the assignment and assign each step a due date. Steps may include gathering research, completing a graphic organizer, developing a thesis statement, etc. Gather resources needed: This may include the text that needs to be read or for  research. Read and highlight information. Support your child in determining the most

In January of 2024 the U.S. Department of Education issued a document and a “Dear Colleague” letter clarifying schools’ responsibilities in providing students with assistive technology and the supports needed to use it effectively. The guidelines include both school-age children and children in early intervention programs. Under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, the guidance indicates that every time an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) team meets to develop, review, or revise a student’s IEP, it must consider the child’s need for assistive technology devices and services. Devices can be basic, such as visual schedules and picture communication boards or sophisticated electronic text- to-speech software, word-prediction devices, and speech generating augmentative and alternative (AAC) devices.

You can help your child in Pre-K or Kindergarten get ready to read by building their phonological awareness. Phonological Awareness is the ability to recognize and work with speech sounds, syllables and rhymes. You can help your child notice and play with sounds, words and rhymes they hear in everyday speech. 1. Read, Read, Read: Good phonological awareness starts with your child noticing sounds, syllables and rhymes in words. Help your child listen for these by reading to them often. Choose books that rhyme or repeat the same sounds and point those words out to your child. Use this link for books that can help teach phonological awareness: Use Picture Books to Teach Phonological Awareness 2. Listen for Initial Sounds.

Improving your toddler’s attention span will help prepare them for future learning. Children need to develop their attention spans, ability to concentrate, self-regulation and other executive functioning skills so that they can develop emotionally, socially and academically. Parents may wonder what an appropriate attention span is for young children? The amount of time your youngster is able to focus will be fairly short right now, but will grow as they practice and gain stamina. In general, an average period of time young children can maintain focus on a task is about 2-3 minutes per year of their age. When working on your child’s attention, try to minimize sensory inputs and distractions by turning off screens, reducing background noise, or moving