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1. |
Talk to them, explain clearly and listen with great care to their answers, correcting them gently but not too frequently. |
2. |
If speech is late in developing, or if there are problems with incorrect word order in a sentence, lack of understanding, or general immaturity of speech, seek the help of the local Speech and language Therapist, either through your GP or directly. |
3. |
If literacy skills are slow in developing, have eyesight and hearing checked. |
4. |
Read to them and be persistent. It may take a long time before they will listen and follow the story. Start with simple repetitive stories that they can join in. Stories on cassettes are an enjoyable and useful aid. Above all, make stories fun. |
5. |
Sing songs together. Say and read poems, rhymes and jingles, clapping rhythms together. |
6. |
Encourage them to paint and gradually develop this into writing and drawing. Encourage them to write from left to right and form their letters correctly, which means starting all the letters from the top of the letter, except 'e' and 'd' which start in the middle. |
7. |
Help them to recognise their name in writing. Encourage the use of lower case script i.e. 'small letters' in the proper places. Teach them to say their address clearly and how to write it down. |
8. |
Teach the sounds of the letters (not the names) and relate them to the symbols. Lower case letters should be taught first, followed by upper case letters, for example the sound 'a' (as in cat) should be related to a and A. |
9. |
Start counting things and putting them in pairs and groups. Make a collection of similar things and those that are different. Introduce number through counting - using everyday objects such as spoons, mugs etc. Show them how to write numbers correctly and encourage them to recognise them in everyday life e.g. house numbers, prices, 30 m.p.h. |
10. |
Emphasise sequencing and listening to numbers e.g. twenty-three, making sure that the 2 is written down first followed by the 3. |
11. |
Help by talking about the days of the week, and what happens on them e.g. Monday-swimming, Tuesday-visit Granny. |
12. |
Follow by introducing the months of the year-birthdays, festivals, seasons -stressing the sequencing all the time. |
13. |
Show clearly the sequence of putting on clothes and teach them how to cope with buttons, zips, press-studs, ties and shoelaces. Choose clothes with the minimum of problems at first, but persist until all the necessary skills are learnt. |
14. |
Play ball games, sequencing, matching and board games as a family and show your delight when they are successful and especially when they show signs of improvement. |
15. |
Jigsaws are useful aids, which help understanding of pictures and how ideas develop. |
