Getting to the Source of Challenge When A Child Struggles
When looking at performance – be it academic performance or social competence – you want to look to for the source of the difficulty when there are challenges. This requires a clear understanding of what the task requires – a task analysis – and knowing a child’s...
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Predicting Learning Difficulty Through Pronoun Acquisition
I had a conversation with a parent the other day. They were curious to know why I was so interested in the pronoun errors of their 4-year-old daughter. We got into a discussion about how children’s brains acquire speech, language, and literacy skills - and what...
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If you Give a Child a Fish, They Won’t Know How to Read
Ok, That’s a bit of a mixed metaphor. But let me explain! I’m thinking a lot about process vs. content lately. Something that gets me really excited about the instruction we are providing to our students is that we are process focused. What does that mean? You know...
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Of course you should read to your kids … right??
When a child is struggling to learn to read, I often hear the recommendation, “You should read with your child every day”. When I inquire about homework or a home reading plan, parents often respond that they have been instructed to read to their children. They may...
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Ain’t That PUF enough?
Alberta Education offers Program Unit Funding (PUF) through Early Childhood Services for children with delays or disabilities between the ages of 2 years 8 months and 6 years. It is a great program, aimed at early identification and intervention with a particular lens...
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Why Do I Do What I Do?
I must confess: I am a FIXER. Part of the problem with being a fixer is that makes you critical. You see problems where maybe there are no problems. You look for problems. You CREATE problems (just ask my wife!) When I encounter a problem, I feel compelled to address...
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When Children Have Trouble Reading
Benefits of Group Instruction Social Learning Theory has been popular since the 60’s and 70’s and is the foundation of our educational system. It’s no secret that children learn from observing others. In fact, we have specialized cells in our brains called mirror...
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Understanding Dyslexia – Part 2
Unpacking the Definition - Problems in Practice I want to unpack the definition of Dyslexia that I provided to you in part 1 of this series. As a refresher, I will provide the definition again: “Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in...
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Understanding Dyslexia – Part 1
I want to write to help people understand Dyslexia. To define it, to conceptualize it, and to perhaps recognize it. I believe this type of writing will also help to reduce some of the stigma that can occur around the label Dyslexia. I am composing a 2-part blog...
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Best Teaching Practices for Struggling Readers
Dyslexia, reading disability, learning disability, or learning difference. Whatever you call it, if your child is not reading at grade level or has difficulty with spelling, your child demonstrates a typical learning profile. The “typically” developing brain will...
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Speak2Read Case Study French Immersion
Bilingual Therapy? Oui, Oui, Madame! It’s true! We often get requests from parents with children in French Immersion who are concerned about their child’s progress and are even contemplating removing their child from French Immersion. This can be a difficult decision...
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Speak2Read Case Study – Iceberg, Dead Ahead!
The “Case”: Boy, Grade 1, public school. English speaking. Let’s call him … Finnegan! (A Mr. Dress-Up shout-out). Referral Reason: A couple “funny” things in his speech The Situation: Finnegan had completed previous language assessment and all scores were in the...
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