Oct. 30, 2005 - Helping with b's and d's, or p's & q's, or L's & J's
Hi anybody! I posted this as a comment to Jeannie Fulbright's Blog and really hope it can help others .
When teaching our 3rd child to read he had difficulties with distinguishing between b's & d's. When younger, he struggled to articulate and used to get frustrated if people couldn't understand him. When trying to read, he could pronounce a word incorrectly even though he had just seen and read it on the line above! I thank God for patience because after efforts to teach we can easily lose our cool and further frustrate our kids.
So, one day as we were learning together (BTW I used the 100 easy lessons book), I wanted so badly to help get my little boy over this hurdle. I needed something visual for him and thought of the fingerspelling alphabet used with sign language. Using the RIGHT hand,the "d" is made the same way as you would point to something, except you hold it vertically. Try it. VOILA! A d! Using the LEFT hand, you can make a "b".
It was really exciting to realize this and when he reads, all I have to do is make the letter with my hand or tap his hand and he'll make it. Now he seldom struggles. We've even had fun with it . One day while excercising, he created the "b-d" exercise by touching a foot to the opposite knee. While standing, it becomes the "p-q" exercise!!
One more fingerspelling shape works for those L's & J's. With your LEFT hand an L is made with the hand in a fist and the index and thumb extended. Do the same with your RIGHT hand , curling the thumb like a hook and you have a J.
I hope these ideas help someone . It sure is great to really "GET IT" sometimes!
Comments
Oct. 30, 2005 - THANKS Debbie!
Posted by JeannieFulbright
What a great tip! We do sign language around here, but I never thought about the fact that the d looks exactly like a d! That's awesome~! I just knew in my heart that you were the greatest homeschool mom - and, of course, I was right!
By the way, I'm thrilled you have joined us on the blogging community. Be looking for the Zoology book Jay won in the mail this week.
Oct. 30, 2005 - Untitled Comment
Posted by KarenW
Hello and welcome to homeschool blogger. I must confess that I am an addict. I boot up my computer before breakfast to check my email and see if anyone has left a comment. Then we have our normal routine - breakfast, devotions, school. My three children all have a blog so they get on from time to time. My son really enjoys it and has had a great time tweaking his blog. I'm not much of a TV fan so I blog when the family is watching something and after the kids are in bed. Looking forward to visiting you again!
Oct. 30, 2005 - Untitled Comment
Posted by HappyApple
I never thought about doing the d's and b's with sign language... thanks!!
With teaching left and right I have done an "L" with the left hand for teaching 'left side' because "L" is for Left. With the right hand it is a backwards "L" so it has to be right side. =)
Di
Oct. 31, 2005 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Juldos
Isn't it fun how the Lord gives us ideas. There have been so many times I haven't known how to teach my children particular concepts, or they just weren't understanding something; and then the Lord would give me another way to teach the concept or would lead me to another resource and they would understand it.
Thank you Lord!
Julie D.
Nov. 28, 2005 - Thank you
Posted by VictoriaCarrington
That was a great tip. Sometimes, my five-year old has reversal difficulties as well.
Nov. 28, 2005 - Untitled Comment
Posted by drewsfamilytx
You are one creative momma! Now if I can just get myself to remember all of that...
Marsha
