My son is 6 yrs old. Is apraxic, Phonological processing disorder, receptive/expressive language disorder and low active working memory. We are working on the reading and phonological processing but he is not able to remember his numbers. He can count to 10 consistently. But he only knows 2-3 numbers by sight. He is repeating K and will go to Resource for Reading and Math.
He has a tutor that has 30 years as a Spec. Ed teacher and we are both stumped as to how to help him. I’ve tried tactile learning, repitition etc…
I would love to hear how you think we can best help him.
Blessings,
Diane
Re: Learning numbers/math for child w/low working memory
You can use one of the techniques in On Cloud Nine www.lblp.com:
Teacher: “I’m going to show you math cubes that you can touch and hold, then I’ll show you the number (written on a card) that represents those cubes. After I take away the cube and the number, I want you to tell me the name of the number and write it in the air. This is the first step in helping your brain to visualize and verbalize math.”
Saying and writing the number should be done simultaneously. Begin with 0 to 10 first. You take the card away because you want the child to see the number in her mind’s eye. Air writing is large enough to see a “shadow” effect.
Later you vary the activity like you say the number and the child shows the cubes and says and air writes. Or you say the number and the child says and air writes. After that the child then writes the number on paper.
Then you show the cubes and student says the number air writes and writes on paper.
Re: Learning numbers/math for child w/low working memory
As Maricel has already mentioned, On Cloud Nine has many strategies for a child like this. Get the manual and read it and them give it to the special ed. teacher!
Janis
Thanks
Thanks for the suggestions. I will order the On Cloud Nine book tonight.
When you have them write in the air do they do so with their finger or in their mind? Like closeing their eyes and visualizing it. Am I on the right track? If not please correct me.
Thanks a million!!
Re: Learning numbers/math for child w/low working memory
They use their finger to write it in the air with eyes open while sayign the number or math problem. I have not read the whole manual yet (just attended the workshop a couple fo weeks ago), but I’d also have the child write the numbers (or math problems) in color on a white board and maybe trace on a textured placemat with the finger. You are definitely trying to imprint the mental image in the brain.
Janis
OCN
The students don’t have to close their eyes because when the eyes are averted (looking up) that’s when you know that they are indeed visualizing. But some students need to block out other stimuli in the beginning, so closing the eyes can be helpful too. Later on they just see the number in their mind and they tell you (verbalize) the number that they see. Air writing also progresses into writing on paper. It’s great that you are buying the book because it’s a program that’s fast paced, individualized, and multi leveled that it’s hard to explain everything here :lol: . Good luck!
I think the single best program that I have found for working memory is audiblox. www.audiblox.com