Programme of phoneme awareness training

[sherrardk]

Not sure if this should be here or in Body & Soul. Does anyone have any experience of phoneme awareness training (it's also called slightly different things too). I have looked at the POPAT website which obviously sings its praises but it seems to claim it can help with loads of different problems and improve loads of different skills. My son is doing POPAT with his Speech Therapist but after looking at the website I am wondering if it is some sort of 'trendy' thing (bit like people used to claim the Initial Teaching Alphabet was fabulous and then they dropped it).

[Buenchico]

Not everyone's a fan!
http://www.sdkrashen....s_training/index.html

[sherrardk]

Thanks for that Buenchico - I have paid super-attention at his speech therapy sessions but it is so illogical. The picture of a car is supposed to signify the sound 'n n n n' when everyone knows a car goes 'brooom brooom' (and that's just one example). Plus I don't like the new speech therapist (has a thing about me having five children and is a dummy nazi) - already has me pegged in completely the wrong hole.

[Buenchico]

Perhaps the teacher drives an electric car, Sherrardk?
;-)

I know nothing about POPAT but I do know that children learn best when their attention is being held and when they're having fun. I'd guess that POPAT is really only as good as the person teaching it.

Anyway, shouldn't you be getting your three-year-olds into marketing?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16812545
;-)

[sherrardk]

The other ST was really good, playing games and encouraging him - this one seems a bit old school. His speech has progressed but he has trouble with the beginning and end of words. I asked about a getting him a Statement (just in case, as they can take six months) and she said he was too clever, and as I could understand him it wasn't a problem, but I won't be there when he goes to school.

[DaisyNonna]

Fight for a statement. Your child needs and deserves help. You are so right. Statementing takes months and one child can so easily be lost in a class of 30. Even when you have a statement it is a recommendation, not a directive. Good Luck.

[sherrardk]

Thanks Daisy, I think I might go down the route of getting a statement (I am one hell of fighter when needed). Can't see my boy go to school and not be able to communicate with anyone (even himself doesn't know what the boy is on about/needs) - hate the thought of him being at school all day without being able to tell anyone if anything is wrong.