Jj is for Jottings 153. Speech Sound Problems: /k,g/
We have previously learned about /s/ as a speech sound problem. Let us now focus on speech sound problems: /k,g/. As always, if your child makes speech errors, you need to know whether the error is actually appropriate for age. (In which case, is it actually an error? Perhaps an “age-appropriate substitution”!) You can find out the rough developmental ages for speech sounds here. Continue reading
Jj is for Jottings 139. Speech Sound Problems:/s/.
Probably one of the first sounds that springs to mind when one thinks of speech sound problems would be /s/ and, more specifically, a lisp. (Remember that the slashes / / mean that we pronounce the sound; ‘s‘ or s means to say the letter name. I think I may have done both at some point. Certainly it is underlined in Aa is for Alpacas.)
The word “lisp” generally refers to the tongue tip protruding between the teeth for /s,z/. (Note that /s,z/ are minimal pairs, and therefore have the same error. For the sake of ease I shall refer to just /s/ from now on, but remember that what refers to /s/ also refers to /z/.) Some definitions of a lisp are much broader, and refer to any speech sound problem involving any or all sibilant sounds. Since this is cause for confusion, I am not going to use the term “lisp” at all. This particular /s/ problem is called an interdental /s/. “Inter” means “between”, and of course “dental” means “teeth”, so there can be no confusion about what it is. Continue reading
Jj is for Jottings 88. Hearing Loss Effects on Speech, Language and Literacy.
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
Jj is for Jottings 83. Auditory Discrimination of Vowel Sounds.
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
Jj is for Jottings 79. Literacy, Language and Prison.
Here are studies from three countries on the relationship between literacy, language and prison or young offender sentences:
1. USA.
Approximately 80% of prison inmates are functionally illiterate, and 47.8% of the inmates were deficient in word attack skills, according to reports. (Texas, 2000) Continue reading
From the colour I thought it was Geisha on the shearing table (she’s medium fawn), but when I saw her face on the next frame it turned out to be Nina – white! I should add that the alpacas are not suffering whilst on the shearing table – not keen, but not suffering, and the result feels so wonderful – no more itchy grass seeds against their skin, and ….freedom! Looking at her this way makes me want to tickle her tummy.
Jj is for Jottings 41. Cutting Out Visual Props.
Enlarging upon the comment on Jottings 40 made by Ann on Facebook, who said she finds another great listening activity is to read a story to children without pictures – spot on! When you ask them questions about the story afterwards, you will really begin to find out their ability to listen and to Continue reading
Another view of the family cos they are so cute!
Jj is for Jottings 20. The Other Side of the Coin.
Last time I talked about the important role speech pathologists can play in literacy, and this is quite true. In theory, we can make a huge difference. However, as with learning any new skills or working to improve existing skills, practice is paramount. Continue reading
