Phonological development in children is a complex process, often requiring innovative and holistic approaches to support and enhance growth. One such approach is detailed in the research article "Phonobuilding: Using Narrative to Facilitate Phonological Development (1993)," which presents a unique method of employing narrative techniques to aid phonological development in children. This blog post explores the key findings of the article and offers practical insights for practitioners looking to incorporate these strategies into their therapy sessions.
The Phonobuilding approach, as outlined by Jerry Vicinio, revolves around the use of 22 contrived short stories designed to target specific phonological patterns. These stories, accompanied by black and white pictograph stories, are aimed at children aged three to nine years with mild to severe phonological delays. The methodology is grounded in the cyclic phonological approach, offering a structured yet flexible framework for therapy.
Here are some key takeaways for practitioners:
- Whole Language Approach: Phonobuilding enables a whole language approach to treatment. Beyond phonology, it facilitates the development of vocabulary, reasoning, comprehension, emergent literacy, narrative, and written language skills. This holistic development is crucial for children with phonological delays, as it supports broader language acquisition and communication skills.
- Engagement Through Narrative: The use of narratives and stories to facilitate phonological development is both engaging and effective. Children are naturally drawn to stories, making it easier to maintain their interest and motivation throughout the therapy sessions. Additionally, narratives provide a rich context for the generalization of phonological sounds and patterns across various listeners and situations.
- Creative and Flexible Use: While the Phonobuilding stories are designed to address specific phonological patterns, they can be used creatively and supplemented with other materials. This flexibility allows therapists to tailor their approach to the unique needs and interests of each child, enhancing the effectiveness of the intervention.
Implementing Phonobuilding in therapy sessions requires practitioners to be adaptable and creative. The stories and pictographs can serve as a starting point for treatment, but should be integrated with other activities and materials to ensure a comprehensive and engaging therapy experience. Furthermore, practitioners are encouraged to use the stories for auditory bombardment tasks and as a foundation for more targeted phonological interventions.
In conclusion, the Phonobuilding approach offers a valuable tool for speech-language pathologists seeking to enhance phonological development in children. By leveraging the power of narrative and adopting a whole language perspective, practitioners can support their clients in achieving significant improvements in phonology and broader language skills. For those interested in exploring this approach further, I highly recommend diving into the original research article for a deeper understanding.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Phonobuilding: Using Narrative to Facilitate Phonological Development (1993).
