(Physical disabilities) Reading Tools for Early Childhood Education
By Madeleine Fitzpatrick
For those who don’t know, it is easier to teach your child to read early on in his life (from the ages of zero to three), than later! Many experts suggest that by teaching your child to read before they begin formal education, they will find school-based education easier from the get-go as they will not have to learn reading skills at the same time that they have to comprehend curriculum material. So what options are available to parents who are interested in teaching their child to read early? Let’s look at a few.
TWEEDLEWINK
Tweedlewink is a set of DVD volumes, made for children ages 0-6. Borrowing from the theory that the right-brain-dominant nature of babies allows them to quickly absorb vast amounts of information, each lesson covers a broad spectrum of topics including vocabulary, phonics, whole words, poetry, early speed reading, and more. Relaxation music and soothing voices narrate each lesson and is designed to build rich neurological connections in your child’s mind during the early formative years.
The founder, Pamela Hickein, states that “Tweedlewink is the springboard from which our children can develop and grow as happy, healthy, compassionate and kind people who have equal amounts of IQ and EQ, intellect and creativity at their disposal”. Being DVD-based, this product is quite easy to use as you can simply put the disc in and play!
KidThing
A software program described by its creators as a “digital media player”, KidThing was founded by a group of parents who believed kids everywhere deserved better content in a safe learning environment. Their vision has resulted in a program with a very clean, simple aesthetic where games, stories and videos can all be played in the main window, with additional content available for purchase via their online store.
In Story mode the words light up as they are being spoken, and animations illustrate the story. Other features include content reminiscent of encyclopedic knowledge flash cards that teach your child about various topics in a casual and fun manner. I found the content and overall feel of the software to be absolutely adorable, but as a reading tool it may be more suited towards older children with a basic reading foundation as the animations and illustrations may distract babies and toddlers from learning to read.
LITTLE READER
Little Reader is a software program for children 4 months and up created by BrillKids, a company that aims to create fun, innovative and user-friendly products in the field of early childhood education. It integrates traditional flash card methods as well as multi-sensory techniques to promote early language recognition and efficient learning. Using a slideshow format, Little Reader combines words with pictures, sound effects, pronunciations and videos to enhance the learning experience. You can download hundreds of categories of words to supplement your library for free, and Little Reader also allows you to print out flashcards in two different flash card styles.
The program is highly flexible and customizable; allowing you to personalize and control what your child learns. However, I did find I needed some patience in learning how to use the program before I really appreciated its features.
Perhaps most surprising, however, is that all three products (or rather, their founders) suggest using their reading tools along with other methods, and not to simply look for the one true product. Children and babies have an immense capacity for stimulation, and having various tools at hand may well delight your little one! The important thing to remember is that as long as your child is learning, no matter what the tool, you are providing him with a foundation that he will have for the rest of his life. Happy teaching!
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Little Reader is available for trial at absolutely no cost! Find out more about this flashcard reading software @ http://www.BrillKids.com.
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The Medicine That Heals With No Adverse Side Effects
By Penny Shellswell
At the age of five I contracted TB. The next eighteen months were traumatic as doctors felt and probed the painful swelling on my neck. I had ten minute long injections drawing off the ever increasing fluid followed by the application of hot poultices.
As a child I quickly learned that men in white coats were to be feared, hated and avoided. I would lie about taking my medicine often pouring it into the flower vase by my hospital bed.
The operation to remove my tonsils seemed to make no difference and so another operation followed. In relating to my daughter in some detail the treatment of those months she looked at me with amazement and horror and said,’Mum, that’s barbaric!’
After eighteen months treatment I became a very shy, fearful person and my immune system had also taken a battering. My education also suffered and I was usually at the bottom of the class when exam results were read out.
I suffered constantly with colds and infections and a ten day course of antibiotics was regularly prescribed to deal with nasal infections. There were hospital visits for other problems which absolutely terrified me.
Once as an adult the panic in me was such that I was all for getting out of my hospital bed and running away - but adults don’t behave like that do they, so I stayed!
With poor health and poor education I became someone with low self-esteem and little self confidence. But before you feel over sorry for me I was also a fighter and a bit of a rebel!
I rebelled at many efforts by others to tell me what to do and accepted the way I was and so just got on with. Then a way forward appeared. Suddenly I realised that I no longer had to suffer monthly injections for allergies.
I no longer had to breathe with difficulty and have no sense of smell. I no longer had to suffer with long lasting colds leading to more antibiotics.
I no longer had to suffer from chest infections and bouts of pneumonia. I was wonderfully set free from all of this without any medication whatsoever.
So what had happened? What truth had I stumbled across? Oh, it was so simple but oh what a battle ensued. I was introduced to the Bible!
But how could a book that was 2000 years old possibly be of any value for me? I’d hated studying at school about Julius Caesar and other ancient historical figures, it all seemed so irrelevant. So why was the Bible any different?
I had gone to church with my mother and had sung in the choir - I enjoyed music and singing - but church was an old, cold building with ancient museum like behaviour as far as I was concerned.
I was now a young Mum in my early thirties still battling with health problems and so I was encouraged to hear why the Bible might be relevant. Oh I am so glad that I did.
I began slowly to understand and to see the relevance of Jesus and what He had done and to what He was calling me. I decided to change direction from going my way to following His way.
I was quickly released from the monthly allergy injections, followed shortly by the healing of my nose and ability to smell again. I was like a child with a new toy as I smelled roses and other things for the first time in years.
Those colds and chest infections? I haven’t had one in years! Other health issues came to light. Some have been dealt with directly by the power of Jesus, others have taken longer but I have not taken any medication for years.
The Bible has become my medicine with only positive side effects! I love it and the more I absorb it and the more I get to know Him, the healthier I have become. I hope this blesses and encourages you too to seek after Him and find that same freedom.
Copyright 2008 Penny Shellswell Jointly leads training courses in Intimacy with the Father. Holy Spirit is stirring believers across the UK to intercession. True intercession is touching God’s heart for His strategy, with our prayer and travail until God’s assurance is received. The goal? Winning the lost and dying of the UK through the setting up of 800 Intercession groups. http://www.OutOfAfrica-uk.org
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