LiPS in lay man's terms

Because an estimated 80% of failing readers (Reid Lyon, National Institutes of Child Health & Development) have poor ability to hear and move around sounds in spoken language. That makes it nearly impossible for them, in a “look-say” classroom (or even one with intermittant phonics) to make a solid connection between sounds and symbols. They just need more practice to make this skill automatic.

Good?

I’m just a mom, so this is real layman’s terms:

My daughter has trouble differentiating between vowels and some consonants, “p’s, d’s, t’s, v’s, etc. can all sound alike.

LIPS teaches them how each individual letter “feels” in their mouths, (lip poppers (b’s & p’s), tip tappers, (t’s), etc. They get oral confirmation that what they are seeing and hearing is correct, before they say it. For instance pal and play are words my daughter would get mixed up. Her mouth, tongue, etc. (and everyone else’s) forms differently when saying each of those words, i.e., Pal you’re mouth is open, Play, your tongue is behind your teeth. So she can orally confirm b4 she reads the word. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Great so far. Oh what would I do without you, guys. Thanks!

Here’s the nitty-gritty: these kids are failing or close to failing in reading, right? They are having trouble in writing and spelling, and dissolving in tears, or anger when they have written work to do, or else avoiding all written work, aren’t they? That would be why they have been referred for help in the first place. I would hope that the teachers are at least competent enough to notice that the kids are having difficulty. You tell the teachers that this is a tried-and -true approach that makes kids actually like reading and writing, and they will come back to the classroom much happier and more willing to participate.