29/09/2024
Building Confidence in Literacy!
Learning to read and write can be challenging for some kids, leading to low motivation or even frustration with school. As speech pathologists, our goal is to build confidence by thoroughly assessing each child's literacy skills and understanding of sounds and their purposes. This helps us pinpoint where the difficulty lies so we can provide targeted support that meets them right where they are!
How We Support Literacy Growth:
Instead of focusing on what’s “expected” for their age, we break tasks down into small, manageable steps that are achievable for them. This tailored approach helps boost confidence and creates a positive learning experience.
Example:
Meet Lucy, a 7-year-old who struggled with reading at grade level and often refused to read out loud in class. After assessing her literacy skills, we discovered she had difficulty with phonemic awareness—the ability to hear and manipulate individual sounds in words.
Our Approach:
Starting with the Basics: We began with simple sound games, focusing on identifying and matching sounds in a fun and engaging way. For example, playing a game where Lucy matched objects (like a ball, bat, and bell) with their initial sounds.
Building Up Gradually: Once she felt confident with sounds, we moved on to blending sounds together to form simple words, celebrating each small success to boost her motivation.
Creating a Positive Environment: Throughout the process, we emphasized her strengths and created a positive, pressure-free learning environment. We encouraged Lucy to celebrate her progress, no matter how small, and she started to feel more confident in her abilities.
The Result:
With time and targeted support, Lucy began to enjoy reading again and even volunteered to read aloud during class. By meeting her where she was and breaking down tasks into small, achievable steps, we helped Lucy rebuild her confidence and find joy in literacy.
Remember, every child learns at their own pace, and it's important to celebrate all their achievements, big or small! 🌟
