Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Kindergartner Speech
Parker's speech is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. We've just started actively working on individual sounds so as to avoid the need for speech therapy. We are using this site: http://www.uiowa.edu/%7Eacadtech/phonetics/# which works really well at isolating each sound. He seems to be missing "sh", "j", and a few others. He also still has some of the cute mispronunciations, like aminals. I adore it, and I refuse to correct it. He knows the right pronunciation, so that isn't an issue.
Some well-meaning friends suggested I get him hooked up with a professional for services, which should be paid for by the state/county. In terms of qualifying for services, I'm sure it wouldn't be an issue. To be honest, I would prefer to not do it through the county, especially considering things I've heard about how it is done here, and also because I've been working with Parker on it for only 3 days, and he now has "r" and voiceless "th" and he knows we're working on a new sound tomorrow, so I'm surprised about the progress!
Here is what he seemed to be missing, in detail:
"th" in both thing and that;
"sh" like shoe and "zh" like vision;
"ch" like watch (I think he may have this one, but since it is the same general placement as the next, which he doesn't have, I'm not 100% sure);
"dg"/"j" as in job or cage;
"r" like in rope and far.
I plan to keep working with him on it, keeping it laid back, and go from there. Maybe I'll decide later to get professional help, or maybe he won't need it. He's still only 5, though!!
Labels: homeschooling, parenting, Parker
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