Our art of language -Learning the alphabet

By the middle of May, we started to work with a new Speech Therapist (SP). The method she uses to increase speech production with the kids she works with is called ZooPhonics.

"Zoo-phonics is a complete language arts program that teaches using a cast of 26 Animal/Letter characters, using a whole-brain, kinesthetic approach. Whole-brain learning uses techniques that integrate the imaginative brain skills with the analytical and language skills. Kinesthetic learning deals with body and movement, learning and knowing through physical activity and motion. Simple strategies can make better use of the whole brain and can dramatically improve learning and performance skills...With Zoo-phonics, children learn to read and spell through their eyes, mouth, ears and body. If one perceptual channel is weak, there are three other channels to take over and support the weak one. For example, if a child has an auditory deficit, his/her eyes, mouth and body will take over and help him or her to access, understand, memorize, use and transfer the new information. Children learn though Zoo-phonics when no other program works. The colorful Animal Letters and Body Movements (Signals) engage the child and hold his or her attention. Because the curriculum is so playful, children not only want to learn, their behavior improves because the children are on task and happy while learning through Zoo-phonics. Instead of telling children to “sit down and be quiet” we encourage them to wiggle their hands and body and make sounds (letter sounds)!"

~www.zoophonics.com

Essential kit to star ZooPhonics

Since the first day our Speech therapist showed the ZooPhonic to our son, he said several short sounds of the animal/letters alphabet. He was saying many short sounds of the animal/letters alphabet by the 3rd session with our SP. He is saying most of the alphabet in short sounds when I just showed the letter or when he sees the ZooPhonic video. He is also anticipating what sounds comes next while we do the letters with the flash cards. He is beginning to recognize the alphabet letters at the same time. The progress we has seen in his speech production has been enormous and in a short period of time since we started the ZooPhonics program. We have still to work on some sounds, but some of them are later sounds.

Video of Tommy doing the short sounds of the alphabet.

This video doen't display all the alphabet sounds Tommy does.

Animal/Letter short sounds Tommy says:

a, b, c, d, e, g, h, i, j, k, m, n, o, p, s, t, u, w and y.

We replaced the short "n" sound for "naah" to make it easier for him.

Approximated Animal/Letter short sounds Tommy says:

f, l, r and z. Tommy does the spanish r sound, but he doesn't

the "r" English sound yet.

Animal/Letter short sounds Tommy doesn't say yet:

q, v, and x

ZooPhonics is indisputably a language art program because of the excellent design of the animal/letters character that engage kids into recognizing the alphabet, reading, spelling and writing.

We have also incorporated to our art of language the Write and Erase set cards by Brain Quest for ages 2+ to trace letters. When I found these cards I wasn't sure Tommy was ready for them; even although, it says in the box 2+. I told our ST about the Brain Quest cards she said why not to use it as a complement of the ZooPhonic because the Brain Quest cards also used the shorts sounds that Tommy is learning with the Zoo-phonic. I bought the set phonics and Alphabet cards, and for my surprise, tracing the letters with guidance is an activity that Tommy has the patient to do, but I keep it short, so we just trace the vowels. I think this cards are complete educational becaue incorporates several senses while the child learns as the Zoo-phonic. According to the Brain Quest website, these cards will help teaching the child to read and write using phonics. Writing-in letters helps your child sound out and recognize simple words. Enhance fine motor skills, build confidence through practice and help preschoolers get read for school; while it allows me incorporate the kinesthetic approach from the Zoo-phonic cards.

Video of Tommy traces letters with guidance.