Advanced-"Sounds " -Introduction

Welcome to the Advanced "Sounds " Program! If you're listening to this introduction, it means you've already completed the beginner's program for learning sounds, where children focused on listening to basic sounds using 10 very different objects. This program is a step up, where children will now focus on sounds that are more similar and have subtle differences. If a child hasn't mastered the basic listening skills, this may be challenging, so it’s essential to ensure the beginner program has been completed first.

In the Advanced "Sounds Two" Program, children will learn to categorize and discriminate between sounds that are very similar but have slight differences. They will practice recognizing variations such as differences in loudness, strength, or depth of sound. For example, they may need to identify whether one sound is louder or deeper than another, or whether one sound is stronger than the other. This program challenges children to refine their listening abilities and apply that knowledge to their environment.

Purpose of Sound Discrimination:

• • This program goes beyond simple sound recognition. It also teaches children how to react appropriately to different sounds in their environment.
  • For example, if a child hears a blender or a toaster, they need to understand what to do when they hear those sounds. The goal is to help them not only discriminate between sounds but also understand the appropriate response.
    • Example: If they hear the vacuum cleaner, they should know to walk away safely, not be afraid, but also not approach it.

Teaching Responses and Safety:

• • A crucial part of this program is teaching children how to respond to different sounds safely and appropriately.
  • They need to learn what to do when they hear certain sounds, such as walking away from loud or dangerous noises (e.g., a vacuum or a blender).
  • It’s important to explain these responses clearly to children, helping them to understand safety as well as sound identification.

Building Language and Discrimination Skills:

• • As children begin to distinguish between sounds, they also start to recognize more details in the world around them. For example, they may learn to differentiate between a cat and a dog based on their sounds, even developing preferences for certain animals.
  • This process not only enhances their listening skills but also boosts language development, as children learn new nouns (e.g., identifying which animal is making the sound) and can describe the sounds more accurately.

Verbal Expression:

• • The program encourages children to form longer phrases as they describe the sounds they hear. For example, they may describe the sound of a vacuum cleaner as “the vacuum is very loud” or “the dog is barking.”
  • If a child struggles to say these phrases, refer to the specialty programs that help teach words and phrases using visuals and moving pictures. These can help the child memorize and construct sentences with clarity.

Articulation and Speech Development:

• • While the primary focus of this program is sound discrimination, it also lays the foundation for children to develop articulation skills.
  • If a child struggles to pronounce words or sounds, this program will help you identify the difficulties they face, making it easier for speech pathologists to assist.
  • It’s important to recognize that articulation—the ability to produce sounds clearly—may require further work, such as the use of specialized articulation exercises.

1-to-1 Correspondence:

• • This program introduces a small portion of 1-to-1 correspondence, a foundational skill for reading and writing.
  • Children will practice pointing to words as they read, which helps them associate sounds with written words and understand their connection to the environment.

Adjusting to Age and Development:

• • The program encourages you to tailor the experience to your child's age and abilities. For younger children, avoid focusing on buttons or complex interactions. For older children, consider incorporating life skills and greater interaction with the objects associated with the sounds.
  • Always ensure that the tasks are age-appropriate and don't overwhelm the child with too much information at once.

At the end of the program, you’ll witness your child’s growth as they master sound discrimination and start forming longer phrases to describe their environment. Children find this program both challenging and fun, and they love the interactive elements with visuals and real objects. It’s designed to be engaging and exciting, and you’ll be thrilled to see the progress your child makes. We’re excited to see how you and your child advance through this program and look forward to hearing about the amazing progress you’ll achieve together!

This program is not just about learning sounds, but about helping your child make connections between what they hear, what they see, and how they react. It fosters a deeper understanding of their world while developing essential skills in language, safety, and articulation. We’re here to guide you through every step of the way as you introduce these skills to your child in a fun and interactive manner.