animals

Neuroplasticity and Power.

Jj is for Jottings 123.  Neuroplasticity and Power.

The topic of neuroplasticity and power is related to this article which defines neuroplasticity and this article on neuroplasticity and complaining.  Every experience we have and every thought we think affects the way our brain develops and changes.  In turn, this affects our physiology and psychology.  The interplay between neuroplasticity and power has consequences in all aspects of life, from the playground bully to leaders in business and beyond.

Photo of kitten with ball of paper in her mouth and the caption: Neuroplasticity and Power. Shanti says, "I have such power over this paper. Will neuroplasticity mean I will turn into a lion?"

Neuroplasticity and Power. Shanti says, “I have such power over this paper. Does neuroplasticity mean I will turn into a lion?”

Continue reading →

Auditory Discrimination of Vowel Sounds.

Jj is for Jottings 83.  Auditory Discrimination of Vowel Sounds.

Photo of Droofus, the bearded dragon, not practising auditory discrimination of vowels sounds - she's looking at April shaking off all the dust in "Aa is for Alpacas".

Droofus, the bearded dragon, is not practising auditory discrimination of vowel sounds – she’s looking at April shaking off all the dust in “Aa is for Alpacas”.

Auditory discrimination of vowel sounds, especially some short vowels, can be quite difficult for some children.  Very common confusions are between /a/ and /u/; and between /i/ and /e/.  When you consider that there is only one short vowel sound left – /o/ – that’s quite some confusion going on!  Of course, not all children confuse both pairs, many just confuse one pair or the other. Continue reading →

Single Words Versus Connected Speech.

Jj is for Jottings 72.  Single Words Versus Connected Speech.

Following on from the discussion about the end of a word not always really being the end (here), we find that, as a result of running our words together to get a smooth flow which is easier for the listener to follow, we can end up with strings of consonants together, as in, “He mends trucks.”  Continue reading →

Reading to Dogs.

Jj is for Jottings 57.  Reading to Dogs.

If you had your reading L plates on, who would you rather read to – a person or a dog?  Young readers reading to dogs is an idea which originated in the USA in 1999, and is being adopted in Australia in schools and libraries.  Different programs exist, but they are all variations on the theme. Continue reading →

Nasal Sounds – And I Don’t Mean Blowing Your Nose!

Jj is for Jottings 49.  Nasal Sounds – And I Don’t Mean Blowing Your Nose!

Nina is demonstrating how to say /n/: see – her tongue is up behind her top front teeth and of course the air is coming down her nose. She is actually starting to say “Nnnnina”. Clever girl.

 

When you have a head cold, people say you sound “nasal”, or “nasally”.  In fact the opposite is true and you are in fact sounding denasal.  Here’s how it works: Continue reading →