tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3220197310170144829.post2299598949066526716..comments2023-08-10T10:03:47.729-07:00Comments on A Beautiful Life: Speech and Learning to Read (Part 1)Felix's Mumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14987454969120973776noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3220197310170144829.post-70759775015135874852022-03-03T07:47:34.090-08:002022-03-03T07:47:34.090-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.radoslavmacbethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01554431105447802734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3220197310170144829.post-4436076080746529652019-02-02T03:03:36.009-08:002019-02-02T03:03:36.009-08:00I'm so sorry I didn't see this comment unt...I'm so sorry I didn't see this comment until now. I'm so glad I could give you some more ideas. Your little guy sounds like he's doing so well!! Felix's Mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14987454969120973776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3220197310170144829.post-91649783612972321552018-04-05T05:32:17.130-07:002018-04-05T05:32:17.130-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Paul Cianfaglione https://www.blogger.com/profile/07387438506837253681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3220197310170144829.post-18624510167013661212017-11-21T09:07:28.584-08:002017-11-21T09:07:28.584-08:00I love all your ideas for keeping him engaged in p...I love all your ideas for keeping him engaged in play with talking and identifying what's around him. Our son, Elijah, is 4 and he's really motivated to talk, sing, read...you name it. I love getting more ideas. Thanks for sharing you story. <br />Bridgette<br />elijahsgifts.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00245691378454905700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3220197310170144829.post-32550056845327619922017-09-16T15:56:27.518-07:002017-09-16T15:56:27.518-07:00Hi Maribel, I found sign language to be very benef...Hi Maribel, I found sign language to be very beneficial for us. I started by using signs for the words I used around Felix the most. Eat, drink, more, and finished, were all signs he used regularly once he learnt them. The signs for different animals were good ones too, as I could incorporate them when I read him stories, and sang songs with animals in them. It made them lots of fun and he picked them up easily that way. Sometimes it seems your child will never learn to use the signs, but be patient and keep using them. One day it will all "click" and it will progress from there.<br />I think the most important thing, when getting your child ready for reading, is communication and visuals. Use language for everything. Even at 8 months, use words like big and little, tall and short, behind and in front. Talk about colours and shapes. If you are reading a book about a cat, point to the word "cat" on each page. Make language part of your every day play. Our kids, with DS, are very visual learners. If you have access to a printer, and laminator, print up some pictures of familiar things (these will be different for each family), and put the word on the picture; Mum, Grandma, banana, boat etc You can also do action ones; dancing, reading etc You can use these as flash cards. The repetition of the familiar words will help develop reading, and spelling. If you don't have access to a computer, keep your eye out for sight word cards/flash cards at the shops. I pick them up whenever I see them. They are often quite cheap (under $5) and you can use them instead of a story for little ones. They will enjoy looking at the pictures and the words will start to become familiar to them.<br />As your child grows, point out words on signs or in shops. Felix loves our local "Stop. Look for Trains" sign. <br />One of the best investments in our house, have been matching puzzles. We have quite a few. Some are matching shapes; the word "square" on one puzzle piece, and a picture of a square on the other (Felix knew what a trapezoid was by the time he was 3!) Others we have match numbers (the written word to the numeral), opposites, animals etc <br />In the early years, we kept television watching to an absolute minimum, and encouraged interactive play instead. Felix did get an ipad at two years old, which has been so beneficial to his reading and learning. We filled it with educational apps (no movies or TV shows), and he soon picked his favourite apps and became proficient in them. He actually learnt his colours from the ipad!! There are so many fun,educational resources available. Make the most of them. Let's face it, we all have days when we just need to drink a hot cuppa and have a bit of a break. Felix's ipad time has been a life saver for me some days. Knowing he's learning while he's using it is a bonus!<br />Don't overthink things. You don't need to set aside hours to "teach" your child. You will find that you will be able to incorporate a lot of these things into your day to day life. Language is everywhere!! <br />Good luck! x x xFelix's Mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14987454969120973776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3220197310170144829.post-85233934035211157302017-09-13T23:08:04.076-07:002017-09-13T23:08:04.076-07:00My little one with Down's is 8 months old. I ...My little one with Down's is 8 months old. I plan on teaching him sign language. Hopefully that will help him communicate with us better. What other things did you do to help him read? Maribel Barragannoreply@blogger.com