AN APOLOGY Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

just wanted to offer an apology for this post. i really enjoy my job as a speech therapist and helping kids learn to communicate better. i enjoy it so much that i sometimes get too into it there have been many times on here when a mom has posted about being concerned that her child isn't talking yet, or is having trouble saying certain words. I've always tried to post back and use my knowledge to help them. whether its reassuring them that their child sounds like they're on target, or giving them ideas of things to do with their kid at home to get them to use more speech/language, or even just telling them the next steps to get help for their child.
This was meant to be the same type of thing. i know i'm not a parent yet, but i know that every parent wants to do everything to help their child succeed. the whole listening thing is a problem that not just me, but other teachers in my school have commented on recently. again, these are students who do not have any other disabilities. beleive me, i have some kids with autism and other learning disorders on my caseload, and i am VERY understanding of their attention difficutlies. these were not the kids i was talking about in this post.
i just thought i would be able to help out some future student's parents, so that the kids can have the most success when they get to school. I'm sorry if it was phrased/taken the wrong way... i guess thats the price of posting on the internet :-/



PLEASE teach your kids basic listening skills!! LOL
i'm a speech therapist at a school, and its amazing how some of these kids lack the simple ability to sit and listen while someone is talking! these are kids with just articulation problems, not other disorders. They don't even wait for me to explain what we're going to be doing that day... they just start grabbing stuff off the table and asking " what is this for?" " what is that for?" if you just stopped and listened for 2 seconds, you would find out!
They also have no patience for turn taking activities! while one kid is taking their turn in an activity, the other kid gets up and starts wandering around the room, playing with stuff on the table, talking to me... it just makes it very tough to work with these kids and teach them anything.
beleive it or not, you can start working on these things from a really young age. even things like blowing bubbles and doing " my turn to blow, your turn to blow" really helps establish the whole thing of turn taking and waiting for their turn. sitting and reading books ( even if you don't actually read the book, just talk about the pictures) really helps work on listening skills and teaching them that sometimes they have to sit still and listen to someone talk. also, just being more firm with them if they ignore a direction you give them really helps teach them that following directions matters.
other teachers have complained about this same thing with kids in their classes, so i know its not just me so i just figured i would give parents with younger kids a heads up for when their kids start school

Message edited 10/18/2008 11:24:33 PM.

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

I'd like to ask how old the kids are and if they have ever been evaluated for issues other than articulation. Also, Id love to be able to give the parents the benefit of the doubt when it comes to how they spend time and interact with their kids.

As a special education classroom teacher, I would confer, as you have, with other professionals and perhaps make a referral for an evaluation. Worst case scenario, there are no issues at all other than typical impulsivity and curiosity.

However, it is my obligation as an educator to serve my students and make referrals if I feel they could benefit from a comprehensive evaluation.

JMO.

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

Coming from someone who DOES teach their child listening skills, but he doesn't grasp it, I find your entire post insulting. Thank goodness you aren't my son's ST.

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

Posted by ml110

PLEASE teach your kids basic listening skills!! LOL
i'm a speech therapist at a school, and its amazing how some of these kids lack the simple ability to sit and listen while someone is talking! these are kids with just articulation problems, not other disorders. They don't even wait for me to explain what we're going to be doing that day... they just start grabbing stuff off the table and asking " what is this for?" " what is that for?" if you just stopped and listened for 2 seconds, you would find out!
They also have no patience for turn taking activities! while one kid is taking their turn in an activity, the other kid gets up and starts wandering around the room, playing with stuff on the table, talking to me... it just makes it very tough to work with these kids and teach them anything.
beleive it or not, you can start working on these things from a really young age. even things like blowing bubbles and doing " my turn to blow, your turn to blow" really helps establish the whole thing of turn taking and waiting for their turn. sitting and reading books ( even if you don't actually read the book, just talk about the pictures) really helps work on listening skills and teaching them that sometimes they have to sit still and listen to someone talk. also, just being more firm with them if they ignore a direction you give them really helps teach them that following directions matters.
other teachers have complained about this same thing with kids in their classes, so i know its not just me so i just figured i would give parents with younger kids a heads up for when their kids start school

Message edited 10/18/2008 12:06:46 PM.

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

Wow. Holy uncalled for post. I *think* you were trying to be helpful, but no one taught you how to deliver it properly.

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

Since I do the same job you do- I can understand the frustration and what you meant.

What age groups are you working with? I have to be honest, time management along with some behavioral reinforcers go a LONG way. I've held artic group sessions with up to 7 kids (gotta love having to do make-up sessions) and have never had a problem.

It truly sounds like you might have some kids that need more positive reinforcement (my kids get a sticker on their chart for good listening and showing respect for their peers). They also get lots of praise for waiting their turn quietly throughout the session.

At the same time, there are always a few that need a bit more help. Those kids get a "fidget"- something that will keep their hands busy while they are waiting their turn. Another thing that's worked is letting them color their practice sheets (I use worksheets) while waiting their turn.

I know you meant no ill will, but putting the blame on parents isn't the way to go.....

Message edited 10/18/2008 12:10:25 PM.

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

Oh Lord. Many of us on here are teachers. Keep that in mind. I'm sure you're not coming from a bad place, however, what do LIF moms have to do with the kids at your school? I work with over 100 children and even when I KNOW their parents have not taught them to listen at home, I have perfectly fine control over them in my classroom. It's MY JOB AS THEIR TEACHER to work on their listening skills in school. And I'm a music teacher, so I of course find their listening skills to be of utmost importance. Sounds like you could probably be managing them better yourself as well

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

Posted by DaniRN

Posted by KateDevine

Wow. Holy uncalled for post. I *think* you were trying to be helpful, but no one taught you how to deliver it properly.

Wow-totally agree

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

Posted by Stacey1403

Posted by DaniRN

Posted by KateDevine

Wow. Holy uncalled for post. I *think* you were trying to be helpful, but no one taught you how to deliver it properly.

Wow-totally agree

Ouch I totally agree.

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

Posted by Porrruss

Since I do the same job you do- I can understand the frustration and what you meant.



It truly sounds like you might have some kids that need more positive reinforcement (my kids get a sticker on their chart for good listening and showing respect for their peers). They also get lots of praise for waiting their turn quietly throughout the session.


I know you meant no ill will, but putting the blame on parents isn't the way to go.....

Message edited 10/18/2008 12:27:57 PM.

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

Posted by ml110

Posted by Porrruss

Since I do the same job you do- I can understand the frustration and what you meant.



It truly sounds like you might have some kids that need more positive reinforcement (my kids get a sticker on their chart for good listening and showing respect for their peers). They also get lots of praise for waiting their turn quietly throughout the session.


I know you meant no ill will, but putting the blame on parents isn't the way to go.....

THANK YOU!! i honestly meant it in the nicest way... just trying to give parents a "heads up" of what they can do at home to help their kids succeed better in school.
i think its the nature of what i/we do. with articulation therapy, you HAVE to do turn taking activities because you NEED to hear each child's speech and help them to correct any errors.
And i have been using sticker charts for good behavior- if they have a good day in speech, they get a sticker, once they get 10 stickers they get a prize.
to be fair, i also do a 3- strikes, no sticker" rule- where if they get 3 "warnings" ( indicated by check marks on the chalk board in my room), they don't get their sticker. However, with some of these kids, it just doesn't work.

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

Posted by prncss

Oh Lord. Many of us on here are teachers. Keep that in mind. I'm sure you're not coming from a bad place, however, what do LIF moms have to do with the kids at your school? I work with over 100 children and even when I KNOW their parents have not taught them to listen at home, I have perfectly fine control over them in my classroom. It's MY JOB AS THEIR TEACHER to work on their listening skills in school. And I'm a music teacher, so I of course find their listening skills to be of utmost importance. Sounds like you could probably be managing them better yourself as well

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

Off the subject matter for one minute I have a quick question. My daughter is in Kindergarden and says she goes to speech but noone has mentioned this to me! Do all the kids go ,if not why do they go? TIA

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

I wanted to add- many times the excitement of getting one on one attention is the reason kids have difficulty waiting turns. I know for my kids, speech is lots of fun and they are really proud that they get to leave class and go "play games" with their peers.

So much of school is based on sitting at a table, being quiet, walking in a line. For MANY little ones, all this structure is just too much.

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

Posted by vmystique33

Off the subject matter for one minute I have a quick question. My daughter is in Kindergarden and says she goes to speech but noone has mentioned this to me! Do all the kids go ,if not why do they go? TIA

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

Posted by Porrruss

Posted by vmystique33

Off the subject matter for one minute I have a quick question. My daughter is in Kindergarden and says she goes to speech but noone has mentioned this to me! Do all the kids go ,if not why do they go? TIA

No- and you should be made aware of it any time your child is pulled from the classroom.

Now- I will say that sometimes if a teacher has a concern, they may ask me to observe a child. When I do that though, I never pull them from the class, I just sit close and listen during a classroom language-based activity. OR I might pull a few kids to the side of the room and play a game. If I agree there is a need for concern, I immediately call the parent to get their POV and see if they have concerns as well. I also usually ask permission to do a more indepth informal screening.

I ALWAYS call a parent and get permission to screen a child outside of the class.

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

Posted by Porrruss

Posted by vmystique33

Off the subject matter for one minute I have a quick question. My daughter is in Kindergarden and says she goes to speech but noone has mentioned this to me! Do all the kids go ,if not why do they go? TIA

No- and you should be made aware of it any time your child is pulled from the classroom.

Now- I will say that sometimes if a teacher has a concern, they may ask me to observe a child. When I do that though, I never pull them from the class, I just sit close and listen during a classroom language-based activity. OR I might pull a few kids to the side of the room and play a game. If I agree there is a need for concern, I immediately call the parent to get their POV and see if they have concerns as well. I also usually ask permission to do a more indepth informal screening.

I ALWAYS call a parent and get permission to screen a child outside of the class.

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

Let me just ask you....do you have children of your own?

I ask this because when I was a teacher pre-children, I honest-to-God thought I had all the answers.

I thoughtI had every answer in the world to child-rearing. I even gave my sage advice at all PT conferences.

Now as a parent, both who are of school-age, I CRINGE at my former self.

Not saying you think you have all the answers, but this post makes me remember my teaching days of yesteryear, when I truly believed the saying..."if only the parents would just..."

Honestly...classroom management is the key, and will always BE the key, to a successful classroom.

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

omg how insulting.
can i ask why you wanted to work with children in the first place?

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

Wow, I'm shocked, just shocked. Maybe your post is coming from a good place but really, I don't get the point of posting it here. Maybe you had a bad week, maybe you need to be in another line of work if the kids are that annoying what what the heck?? Is this post really necessary?

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

Some things I recommend you trying is:

DON'T have any materials loose on the workspace- it reduces the urge to grab at them. Introduce them as you start your session- but keep them out of reach/sight until then.

Be clear of your expectations BEFORE you start your session.

Provide frequent gentle reminders if needed throughout the session, but most importantly, RECOGNIZE when a child is behaving appropriately. I almost never give lots of praise for good sound productions, but I WILL dance on a table for them if they follow the rules and try their best.

Encourage them to self monitor themselves and to monitor their peers' productions. Every so often I'll ask another child, "C, how do you think J's "s" sounded just now?" This keeps them engaged without making them feel pressured to perform.

Allow for unstructured talk time- it helps generalize the sound into conversations and gives them a break from "practicing".

Again, although I know special ed/speech services is a partnership with parents, it's never a good idea to put any blame on the parent when you have difficulty with behavior management.

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

I don't know ml110 in real life - but from all of her posts on here she has been extremely helpful giving tips regarding speech development.

It sounds like she was trying to be helpful and it came off the wrong way in her delivery.

Message edited 10/18/2008 2:32:15 PM.

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )

Re: Dear PArents ( from a teacher :-) )