Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Special Education

    Posted 06-16-2018 06:47 AM

    I need resources for developmentally appropriate instructional in Special Education in early intervention and what are some strategies for culturally and linguistically and immigrant families.


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  • 2.  RE: Special Education

    Posted 06-17-2018 03:12 PM
      |   view attached

    We were instructed to inundate ELLs (English language learners) with novel words (million dollar words) in their native language prior to the introduction of English words. DDLs must have an enriched vocabulary in their native language in order to experience a successful English acquisition. It is important to:

    ·         Articulate slowly when speaking to DDL (dual language learners)

    ·         Utilize applicable props when reading stories and introducing new vocabulary

    ·         Utilize flannel stories to introduce new concepts

    ·         Encourage parents to read to their children (Spanish and simple English books) and ask open-ended questions to check the child's level of comprehension

    ·         Ensure that DDLs are included in purposeful play during center activities

    ·         Engage DLLs in weekly teacher/child conferences to check-in; discuss child's interests, how they are doing, what would they like to learn....

    ·         Bring in speakers and volunteers that are versed in the child's language and ethnicity background

    ·         Room décor must include DDLs ethnicity artifacts and language, e.g., dramatic play materials, books, and posters

    Hopefully this will assist you in developing your educational plan for your DDLs. 

     

    Tauheedah S. AbdulKarim, CDS

    Foundation for Early Childhood Education, Inc

    3360 Flair Drive, Suite 100

    El Monte, California 91731

    626 572 5107 ext. 135

    t_karim@foundationheadstart.org

     

     






  • 3.  RE: Special Education

    Posted 06-18-2018 12:27 PM
    I, too, work in Early Intervention.  Tauheedah gave some good tips, particularly about how fast we speak and which words we choose to use.  As she said, visuals are also helpful in communication. In St Louis we are lucky in that our public library has a good selection of picture books in several different languages and library cards are encouraged even for newborns,  so I can actually bring a book that is available to a parent to show them familiar print words.  

    I find that my students are most frequently in need of very basic language development in addition to whatever other needs they have.  I teach the same concepts regardless of culture.  Those include things like following directions, sharing (haha!) and basic sounds and words.  I try to learn the differences in the way sounds are made in the native language.  For example in English a rooster says cock-a-doodle-doo.  In Spanish it's kee-kee-kee-ka-roo.  Asian families sometimes have difficulty imitating particular consonant sounds in English.  Fathers or other authority figures may override a mother in some cultures, so it's important to include them in whatever you say and do.  It's also important to recognize and respect the different ways that other cultures interact with their children.  

    In my graduate studies I had a very helpful textbook called Developing Cross-Cultural Competence: A guide for Working with Children and Their Families by Eleanor W. Lynch and Marci J. Hanson.  Brooks publishes it but it's available on Amazon as well.  I return to this resource when I'm starting with a family from an unfamiliar (to me) culture just as a reminder to pay attention to more subtle cues from folks who are desperately trying to help their child in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar resources.

    On a side note, if you are in Early Intervention, you might be interested in the At Risk and Special Needs group within NAEYC. Personally, I'm having some trouble posting within this forum (Hello) in their group, but I get very helpful e-mails from the leaders of the group.  Just a thought.

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    Chris Schmidt
    Special Instructor
    MO First Steps
    St Louis, MO
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