language

A Noun is a Name.

Jj is for Jottings 121.  A Noun is a Name.

A noun is a name.  But there’s a bit more to it than that.  A noun is one of several parts of speech, which also includes verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, articles, prepositions, conjunctions and even interjections.  Although they are called parts of speech, they are really units of language, but we won’t try to go against the flow on that issue.  The difference between speech and language is explained here.  I can’t tell you how many times I have been requested to do a speech assessment, when language was really the issue. Continue reading →

Print Books are Better than Digital Books for Toddlers.

Jj is for Jottings 99. Print Books are Better than Digital Books for Toddlers.

The question of whether print books are better than digital books for toddlers is a concern for many parents who are looking to do the best by their children.  Here are two pieces of evidence, one anecdotal and one from research, which will answer this question. Continue reading →

Reading-Aloud Games.

Jj is for Jottings 97.  Reading-Aloud Games.

Following on from interactive reading with children, here are some ideas for “reading-aloud games” which you can play with children while reading stories with them.  The idea is to be spontaneous, just playfully engaging in banter whilst actually providing wonderful learning opportunities as a bonus.  It may sound strange, saying to be spontaneous and then making suggestions as to what to do.  But it is helpful to see the types of games you can play and, once you have the idea, you can invent your own activities in the moment. Continue reading →

Interactive Reading With Children.

Jj is for Jottings 96.  Interactive Reading With Children.

There is a difference between reading to children and reading with children.  Reading TO children is just that – reading a story without any sort of discussion or interaction.  (For disquieting statistics on reading to children, see here.)  On the other hand, interactive reading with children, or reading WITH children, is an active process rather than a passive one.  In this case, you are encouraging the child to think, predict, remember and discuss the story, and other related topics may also arise.  Therefore it has all the benefits of reading to children, plus many more.

Photo of newborn alpaca on the ground, her mother and another alpaca sniffing her, with the caption: Too young for interactive reading with children, but the right age to start reading TO her.

Too young for interactive reading with children, but the right age to start reading TO her.

Continue reading →

Oral Storytelling.

Jj is for Jottings 95.  Oral Storytelling.

Oral storytelling is wonderful for developing listening skills (no pictures – so there is no visual ‘cheating’) and language.  It also encourages memory and can stimulate imagination.  You can read about the importance of listening here and here.  You can tell the story, or you can encourage your child to tell the story.  Your child may not be confident enough to tell stories from the outset.  However, after hearing you tell stories and with some encouragement, they may begin to feel like having a go.  Even if your child doesn’t feel like telling stories, the listening, language and memory benefits are still there. Continue reading →

Phonological Awareness, Phonemic Awareness, Phonics.

Jj is for Jottings 94.  Phonological Awareness, Phonemic Awareness and Phonics.

Picture of the book "Aa is for Alpacas" on a pot-bellied stove, with the caption: Learning phonics with this book helps with phonemic awareness and phonological awareness skills, too.

Learning phonics with this book helps with phonemic awareness and phonological awareness skills, too.

You may have heard the terms “phonological awareness”, “phonemic awareness” and “phonics” and wondered what they mean and whether they are different terms for the same thing.  Let’s sort this out right now.

PHONICS.

This is sound-letter links – i.e. learning which sound is made by each letter of the alphabet, and other sounds which are made by combining 2 or more letters.  Children develop the concept that there are consistent relationships between letter symbols and sounds.  This book is a great way to learn sound-letter links.  But you need to make sure you are saying sounds rather than letter names.  You can find this on the video. Continue reading →

The Effects of Screen Time on Children.

Jj is for Jottings 90.  The Effects of Screen Time on Children.

Picture of 4 children on a haystack with caption: Avoiding the effects of screen time on children - Zara, Amy, Seth and Zack reading "Aa is for Alpacas" AND outside.

Avoiding the effects of screen time on children – Zara, Amy, Seth and Zack reading “Aa is for Alpacas” AND outside.

 

By now, there have been many studies done on the effects of screen time on children.  My own observations on this subject are here and here.  And here is an article on parental concerns about screen time.  So, let’s have a look at some of the recent research. Continue reading →

Unilateral Hearing Loss.

Jj is for Jottings 89.  Unilateral Hearing Loss.

Head shot of an alpaca with the caption: Does Geisha have a unilateral hearing loss? It looks as if she has only one ear, in which case she would have.

Does Geisha have a unilateral hearing loss? It looks as if she has only one ear, in which case she would have.

This is the third article on hearing loss.  The previous articles are about fluctuating hearing loss and effects of hearing loss on speech, language and literacy. Continue reading →

Hearing Loss and Speech, Language and Literacy.

Jj is for Jottings 88.  Hearing Loss Effects on Speech, Language and Literacy.

Picture of a young father reading a book to his baby with the caption: 'Hearing loss effects on Violet's speech, language and literacy? None, because at this stage there is no evidence to suppose that Violet has a hearing loss. And Simon is certainly getting her off to a flying start with speech, language and literacy by reading "Aa is for Alpacas" to her.'

Hearing loss effects on Violet’s speech, language and literacy? None, because at this stage there is no evidence to suppose that Violet has a hearing loss. And Simon is certainly getting her off to a flying start with speech, language and literacy by reading “Aa is for Alpacas” to her.

 

Moving on from discussing fluctuating hearing loss in the previous article, we now turn our attention to the effects of hearing loss on speech, language and literacy. Continue reading →

Fluctuating Hearing Loss

Jj is for Jottings 87.  Fluctuating Hearing Loss.

Fluctuating hearing loss in young children often results in speech and language delays.  (For an explanation of the differences between ‘speech’ and ‘language’ see here.)  Figures quoted by the Audiometry Nurses Association of Australia Inc suggest that 90% of childhood hearing loss is of the fluctuating kind.  For figures for Australian 4-5 year olds having a speech problem from any cause see here. Continue reading →