Months of Morphemes, A Theme-Based Cycles Approach (2001), authored by Allison M. Haskill, Ann A. Tyler, and Leslie C. Tolbert, provides a structured and comprehensive program designed to improve the morphosyntactic performance of preschool-age children with both language and speech disorders. This blog will explore how practitioners can implement the outcomes of this research to enhance their online therapy services.
The program focuses on children aged three to six years and has four primary goals:
- Improving Morphosyntactic Performance: The program targets both language and speech goals, aiming to enhance the children's morphosyntactic abilities.
- Providing Structured Language Programs: Utilizing Hodson and Paden's "cycles" approach, the program offers a variety of elicitation and modeling techniques to educators.
- Family Involvement: Weekly letters to families suggest follow-up activities, books to read, and ways to work with their child at home to improve morphological skills.
- Thematically Related Activities: The program includes meaningful activities to facilitate language development and maximize child participation.
Implementation Strategies for Practitioners
1. Structured Sessions
The program is organized into weekly sessions by theme and morphological goal/target. Each session includes a parent's letter, a list of activities, and a full outline of books, songs, and elicitation scripts. This structure ensures consistency and can be easily adapted for online therapy sessions.
2. Utilizing the Cycles Approach
The cycles approach involves targeting specific morphological goals for a set period before moving on to the next goal. This cyclical method allows for repeated exposure and practice, which is crucial for children with speech and language disorders. Practitioners can create virtual cycles that mirror this approach, using online resources and tools to engage children.
3. Family Engagement
The program emphasizes family involvement, providing weekly letters with suggestions for home activities. Practitioners can send these letters via email or an online portal, encouraging parents to participate in their child's therapy. Virtual meetings with parents can also be scheduled to discuss progress and provide additional support.
4. Thematic Activities
Thematically related activities make learning more engaging and meaningful for children. Online therapy sessions can incorporate digital books, interactive games, and virtual songs related to the weekly themes. This approach not only keeps children interested but also reinforces the targeted morphological goals.
Encouraging Further Research
While implementing the Months of Morphemes program can significantly enhance online therapy services, practitioners are encouraged to engage in further research to adapt and improve their methods. Staying updated with the latest studies and incorporating new findings can lead to better outcomes for children with speech and language disorders.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Months of Morphemes, A Theme-Based Cycles Approach (2001).
