School readiness!! Is Your Child Ready for Back to School in September?
The speech goals outlined in this post are to help give parents tips on what speech skills they need to focus on to prepare their child for school readiness. There are certain bench marks that each grade level requires. This is just a quick overview to give parents a checklist of key skills they can focus on with their child. I have broken down the skills in grade levels from Kindergarten to Grade Three. Watch out for red flags. If your child is struggling then it is time to address these challenges by asking for help from an expert. They can help you review your child’s speech goals and work towards building skills.
Kindergarten
Students entering Kindergarten should have clear speech. Some sounds like “R”and “th” may not have filled in, but you will definitely want to find support if your child is deleting or substituting sounds. This is a red flag. This is an indicator that these sounds are not developed and your child might need extra support in this area.
Your speech goal at this age is to focus on sounds.
Grade One
Students entering Grade One should be able to recognize, name, and print all 26 letters in upper and lower case, and should know all of the sounds those letters make. They should be able to print some basic words using “invented” spelling where they sound out a word and put down letters that make sense for those sounds. Any backward letters should be learned within the first few weeks of Grade One.
Your speech goal at this age is to focus on the sounds that letters make.
Grade Two
Students entering Grade Two should have a bank of “sight words” they know, should not have any grammar errors in their speech, and should be starting to read punctuation marks – that is, reading with “expression”.
Your speech goal at this age is to focus on error free speech.
Grade Three
Students entering Grade Three and beyond should be at Grade Level in their reading, spelling, and writing. If they are not, ESPECIALLY if there is a history of speech, language, or literacy learning difficulty, it is time to get some help! A Speech Language Pathologist can assist you to find some answers and support for your child.
Your speech goal at this age is to focus on achieving grade level standards.
Closing Thoughts
In my previous blog: “WHY Speech-Language Pathology?” I explained why a Speech Therapist can help your child. For example, when kids become focused on the things that are hard, they cannot excel to their highest potential in anything. The seed of doubt gets planted. It leads to negative self-talk and damages our identity. Kids take on a story – “reading is hard”; “I’m lazy”, “I’m no good”, “I’m not smart” – and it spills over from academics into all other areas of their lives.
Speak2Read in Calgary
I work to show children how unique and special they are. I help them to learn that just because something is hard, it doesn’t have to define us.
My goal is to help children learn to confidently express themselves in a positive and healthy way.
My vision is to help children find their voice to state what they think and feel, to stand up for what they believe in, and to stand against negative influences in their lives.
My dream is that all children learn to accept themselves as perfect, just as they are, so they can stay true to themselves.
My stand is for healthy, happy children finding their place in this world and shaping our tomorrow.
Don’t hesitate to contact Speak2Read experts for immediate support. Schedule you appointment today!
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