Phonological awareness (PA) is a critical skill for young children, particularly those with speech and sound disorders (SSD). The research article "Phonological Awareness Intervention for Preschoolers with Speech and Sound Disorders" by Meghann Grawburg and Susan Rvachew highlights the importance of early intervention and offers valuable insights for practitioners.
Why Phonological Awareness Matters
Phonological awareness refers to the ability to recognize and manipulate the sound structures of spoken words, including syllables, onsets, rimes, and phonemes. It is a foundational skill for decoding and reading, making it essential for early literacy development. Children with SSD are at a higher risk for delayed PA, which can negatively impact their future reading skills.
Key Findings from the Research
The study involved ten 4-year-old children with poor PA and SSD who participated in an eight-session intervention program. The program included both PA and speech perception components, focusing on:
- Matching words that share the same onset or rime
- Identifying correctly and incorrectly articulated words containing the target onset
Participants showed significant improvements in their PA, raising their post-treatment test scores to the level of normally developing children.
Implementing the Findings in Practice
As a practitioner, you can leverage these findings to enhance your intervention strategies:
- Incorporate both PA and speech perception activities in your sessions.
- Use engaging tasks like sorting pictures based on rime or onset and interactive computer programs for speech perception training.
- Provide corrective feedback to reinforce learning and encourage practice through homework assignments.
Encouraging Further Research
While the study demonstrated the effectiveness of combining PA and speech perception training, further research is needed to isolate the unique contributions of each component. Consider exploring these areas in your practice or academic pursuits to contribute to the growing body of knowledge in this field.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Phonological Awareness Intervention for Preschoolers with Speech and Sound Disorders
