Return-Path: <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id fBLH8I024084; Fri, 21 Dec 2001 12:08:18 -0500 (EST) Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2001 12:08:18 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <sc232530.070@mail.mlhu.on.ca> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Susanna Suchak" <ssuchak@mlhu.on.ca> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-FAMILY:544] Re: Recruitment X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII X-Mailer: Novell GroupWise Internet Agent 6.0 Status: O Content-Length: 4578 Lines: 41 Hi In Ontario we have 32 preschool speech and language initiatives. Each of them has a different modus operandi, but here in Thames Valley Region (London and the 3 counties around here) I am the only one specifically focusing on intermediary prevention. I have developed many programs which focus on what you are describing. I am also certified to do YMTD from Hanen. I have also taken certification in a program called Parent-Child Mother Goose. We have found that our high risk groups have many issues around being video-taped. Some with good reason. I have found doing a parent-tot group using verses, songs and nursery rhymes (many of which I have adapted to be culturally sensitive and significant to our parents) to work quite well. Although, one of my aims is to have parents provide a more language rich home environment. I also educate on the nitty-gritty of doing that. In other words, I don't suggest that these parents "read" to and with their children (well, I do but I also do other things). I have theme based programming with extended activities. These extended activities are designed to provide every-day stimulation in speech and language using other daily activities. For instance, we teach a "focus verse" which helps the parent to connect on an eye-to-eye level with the child and adults who have paired up to do this verse have stated that "you cannot ignore someone who is tracing your face with their finger". Then the next week we go around the circle and say which verses our child liked the best, how they helped in a situation and/or which songs our child initiated "singing". For instance, if your baby bounced, and you said "Oh, you want to do a 'smooth road'". And then we did the verse/song with our baby, we share that success. I also teach parents to stretch the vowel for babies and to encourage them to imitate that sound. I could go on for hours, but I am "on vacation". I just couldn't resist this post! I also educate parents on realistic "milestones" for speech and language development. Without fail, in a group of 6 parents and babies/toddlers, at least 1 will refer to our free service. These children are then assessed by a speech language pathologist and if necessary a program is designed for that child. The mandate is to have more children "school-ready" when they enter the formal stream at 4 in Junior Kindergarten. I would love to share more with you. Much of my region is rural and I have lived on a farm, so I know first hand the challenges of the rural community. Having raised 7 kids I also understand the challenges of being a parent with few supports in the community. I would be willing to share the methodology in a workshop with your people. Please call me in the New Year. My phone is 519-663-5317 ext. 2279. I work out of the Middlesex-London Public Health Unit, but am originally from Windsor. Susanna Scott-Suchak Health Promoter tykeTALK (Thames Valley Preschool Speech and Language Initiative) email: ssuchak@mlhu.on.ca home email: guildedlily@hotmail.com >>> HMiller@tbaisd.k12.mi.us 12/21/01 09:30 AM >>> Hi...I am a speech/language pathologist working for Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District. This year I am working on a grant to help reduce the need for special education and promote school readiness in the 0-6 year old population in a 5-county rural area. Part of the program includes a parent education program called "You Make the Difference," a program to enhance parent/child interactions and improve children's social and language development. It includes 9 weekly classes of 3 hours--90 minutes of interactive classroom discussion/learning/videotape viewing for the adults and ending with a 5-minute, individual, videotaping sessions of each parent and child trying out the techniques learned. We are interested in getting as many at risk parents as possible to participate (at risk being those parents that may not spend much time interacting with their children or may not use much language as they do) and a friend suggested that this group could have some great suggestions of ways to entice these parents to participate..ideas that have worked for you. We have been able to come up with offering dinner with the class and quality childcare and I have also secured 1/4 credit of high school diploma credit. We have one and a half years to try it out. Please suggest any ideas you have had success with...please... Heather Miller Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District 1101 Red Drive, P.O. Box 6020 Traverse City, Michigan 49686 email: hmiller@tbaisd.k12.mi.us
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Fri Jan 18 2002 - 11:27:49 EST