One of my desires when I started working at New Life was to get the children reading. . .not just words or syllables, but actual books. Since Spanish is so phonetic, reading is taught very differently than in the US. Students learn the vowels and selected consonant sounds, learn to blend them into syllables, and then begin reading words.
The students with whom I work, however, often do not make the transition from syllables to words, because they have difficulty with blending sounds and syllables to words. Others have auditory processing problems that make it difficult or impossible for them to learn through a phonetic (sound/symbol) approach to reading.
We began using multi-sensory approaches to reading, as well as sight words to try to remedy this. I have to admit, I have actually spent the last year re-learning how to teach reading. Or perhaps it is better stated, learning alternative methods to teach reading in Spanish.
Finally, it seems we have hit on the right combination of language experience, oral reading, sound drills, and sight words. My students have begun to love reading and are so proud of their progress.
Some, like Joel, are at a readiness level, focusing on learning that words have meanings by learning to read their names. They also are using picture symbols to help them "read" repetitive stories and answer questions about them.
Others, like Fernando, are working on a word recognition level. They are learning to read the sight words which are used most frequently in written Spanish, and writing some of their own stories with help.
The best part of all of this is the excitement of the students as they participate in these reading activities. They are so proud of themselves, and we celebrate their success.
We're working on math skills, too, using concrete objects to help support the abstract meaning of numbers. So many of the children just need this extra bridge to help them take off in their learning.
For some of our students, such as Yamelin, who is blind, reading and math are secondary goals. Teaching them to work independently and develop self-care skills are the focus of our work with them.
Our ministry, Causa de Esperanza, provides the funding for this special class at New Life, and the supplies and materials needed by the children to use these special approaches to learning. We receive no funds from the Guatemalan government to educate these children. If you'd like to help support this program, either financially or by coming and volunteering in our classroom, please email me for more information.
Another ministry from Guatemala City, Latin Deaf Services, continues to provide instruction to our deaf students two days a week, as well as giving a class in which the teachers can learn sign language.
Our speech therapist, Jennifer, is so much more than just a speech therapist. She is serving as our early intervention connection with preschool children with disabilities in Santa Maria. She works with Dick Rutgers to get them wheelchairs, walkers, and other adaptive equipment to help their development. They love her as much as she loves them.
Josef is low vision as well as having cerebral palsy. Working with Jennifer, he has made great progress. She recognized that he needed a wheelchair as well as some type of apparatus which would allow him to be in a standing position at least some of the time. When I talked with mom about a wheelchair, however, she wasn't ready to accept that her son would need one. She broke down and sobbed, saying she would rather carry him forever than put him in a chair.
Dick came in, and adapted a stander for Josef which he is able to use at home to help position him.
Then, in true Dick Rutgers' style, he went to work problem solving the issue of a wheelchair. Mom was open to using a stroller with Josef, and Dick got the idea that maybe a Kid-cart wheelchair would work for him and be acceptable to mom. It just so happened that he was able to find one at the Bethel Ministries shop. It also just so happened that it fit Josef almost perfectly without him having to make any major adjustments. I'm not sure if Mom realizes this is a wheelchair or not, but he is sitting pretty in a chair that will help support his growing body and prevent any further distortion of his muscles. A win-win.
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