martes, 22 de octubre de 2024

Fostering Reading at Home: Tips for Parents

 

Reading is a fundamental skill that opens doors to a world of knowledge, imagination, and personal growth. As parents, we play a crucial role in fostering a love for reading in our children. Here, I'm sharing some practical and fun tips to create a positive reading environment at home.



 Create a Cozy Reading Corner


Designate a special space at home for reading. It could be a corner with soft cushions, a small tent, or simply a quiet area with good lighting. Make it a place where your kids want to spend time.


Establish a Daily Reading Routine


Consistency is key. Try to dedicate at least 15-20 minutes each day to family reading time. It could be before bedtime, after dinner, or any time that works for your family routine.



Let Them Choose Their Books


Take your kids to the library or bookstore and allow them to choose books that interest them. When children have control over their reading choices, they're more likely to get excited about the process.


Be a Role Model


Children learn by imitation. If they see you reading for pleasure, they're more likely to develop the same habit. Share with them what you're reading and why you like it.


Make Reading an Interactive Experience


Don't just read aloud. Ask questions about the story, request predictions about what will happen next, or even act out scenes with your kids. This makes reading more engaging and helps improve comprehension.


Explore Different Formats


Don't limit yourself to traditional books. Try audiobooks, children's magazines, comics, or even educational reading apps. Variety can keep children interested.



Connect Books with Real-Life Experiences


After reading a book about animals, for example, plan a visit to the zoo. These connections make reading come alive and more meaningful.


Reward Reading, But Don't Bribe



Create a reward system to celebrate reading achievements, like a special bookmark for each book finished. But avoid using reading as an obligation or punishment.


Organize Family Reading Nights


Once a week, turn off all electronic devices and dedicate an hour to reading together. It can be everyone reading their own book or reading a story aloud in turns.


Be Patient and Persistent


Remember that every child develops a love for reading at their own pace. Don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate results. Consistency and a positive attitude will pay off over time.


Fostering reading at home not only helps your children's academic development but also strengthens family bonds and creates lasting memories. With these tips, you can turn reading into a fun and enriching activity for the whole family. What strategies have you tried in your home? Share your experiences in the comments, and let's keep learning together.

Kinestema: Driving Bilingualism Through Innovation


Kinestema was present at the 2024 Conference of the Texas Association for Bilingual Education. At our booth, attendees could get a close look at our full range of products and services designed to facilitate bilingual literacy in Spanish.


But that wasn't all. We also organized a conference on 'Reading and Writing through Kinesthemas using our Kinestem program'. In this presentation, we explored how our unique methodology can help students learn to read and write effectively and enjoyably.

Did you know there are different types of bilingualism? In our entry, we'll delve deeper into this topic.

What is bilingualism?

Bilingualism is defined as the ability to use two languages alternately. This skill not only involves knowledge of two languages but also the ability to switch between them according to context and need.

Are all bilinguals the same?


There are several types of bilingualism:

• Compound vs. coordinate bilingualism: Compound bilingualism refers to the integration of two languages in the speaker's mind, where both languages are interrelated. In contrast, coordinate bilingualism involves the use of two languages separately, where each language is associated with specific contexts or situations.

• Simultaneous vs. successive bilingualism: Simultaneous bilingualism occurs when a person learns two languages from infancy, while successive bilingualism refers to the acquisition of a second language after mastering the first.


• Additive vs. subtractive bilingualism: In additive bilingualism, the acquisition of a second language adds to the mother tongue without the latter being affected. On the contrary, subtractive bilingualism can lead to the loss of the mother tongue, as the second language becomes dominant.

• Balanced vs. dominant bilingualism: Balanced bilingualism occurs when the speaker has a similar level of proficiency in both languages. In contrast, dominant bilingualism is characterized by greater mastery of one language over the other.


Is it cognitively beneficial?

Bilingualism not only has linguistic implications but is also associated with several cognitive benefits:


• Greater cognitive flexibility and creativity: Bilinguals tend to show a greater capacity for flexible and creative thinking, as switching between languages fosters innovation in thought.


• Better attentional control and executive functions (1): Bilingual speakers often have better attention control and executive skills, allowing them to manage multiple tasks more effectively.


• Superior metalinguistic development: Bilingualism promotes a deeper understanding of language structure and function, resulting in more advanced metalinguistic development.


• Possible delay in the onset of dementia symptoms: Some studies suggest that bilingualism may be related to a delay in the onset of dementia symptoms, indicating a protective effect on cognitive health in old age.


Factors Influencing Cognitive Effects

Several factors can modulate the cognitive effects of bilingualism:


• Age of second language acquisition: The age at which a second language is learned can influence fluency and associated cognitive benefits.


• Level of proficiency in both languages: A high level of proficiency in both languages can maximize cognitive benefits.


• Frequency of language use: Regular practice of both languages is crucial to maintain and develop linguistic and cognitive skills.


• Sociocultural context: The environment in which the language is learned and used also plays an important role in the development of bilingualism and its cognitive effects.


What are the Educational Implications?

Bilingual education programs can offer significant cognitive and academic benefits for students, provided they are implemented properly. Bilingual education not only improves language skills but can also enhance academic performance in other areas, promoting more comprehensive and effective learning.


1. Executive skills are a set of cognitive functions that allow people to plan, make decisions, solve problems, control impulses, and carry out complex tasks. These skills are fundamental for daily functioning and are primarily regulated by the frontal lobe of the brain.



jueves, 17 de octubre de 2024

Elements of a Kinestema

 A kinestema in the LEK method or Kinestem Program consists of two fundamental parts:

1. Multisensory Information Set


This part of the kinestema is a complete representation of a phoneme that includes:

• The sum of all sensations and mental representations associated with the emission of a specific speech sound.
• Information from multiple senses:
  - Auditory: how the phoneme sounds
  - Visual: how the mouth looks when pronouncing it
  - Kinesthetic: what movements are made to produce it
  - Proprioceptive: how the speech organs feel when forming it
  - Tactile: what tactile sensations are experienced

Important characteristics:

• Goes beyond a simple gesture
• Encompasses all perceptions and sensations involved in sound production
• Allows the learner to mentally manipulate phonemes, facilitating metaphonological awareness practice

2. The Connector

The connector is the element that links the multisensory information with a specific letter:

• It is associated with a body part where the student feels the sensory information
• This body part "draws" the shape of the letter
• Transforms the letter from an abstract symbol to an icon representing concrete sensations for the student

Key benefit:

• The letter becomes an icon with a lower degree of abstraction, which significantly facilitates its reading and comprehension.
• The use of kinestemas makes learning to read more accessible and fun for children. Instead of seeing letters as abstract symbols, they associate them with concrete sensory experiences.



Note: Kinestema(tm) is marketed in the USA as the KINESTEMA PROGRAM and in Spain as the LEK method (Lectura y Escritura por Kinestemas(tm)).

miércoles, 18 de septiembre de 2024

 Over 2,000 Visitors in the Last 30 Days!


We're thrilled to announce that our blog has reached a major milestone: over 2,000 people from around the world have visited our site in the past 30 days! This is a testament to the hard work we put into creating high-quality, informative content that resonates with our readers.




As you can see from the graph, we've had a steady stream of visitors from both the United States and Spain. It's amazing to see how our content is reaching people from different cultures and backgrounds. We're so grateful for your support and for taking the time to read our blog posts.




What does this mean for you?


More great content: We're committed to providing you with valuable and engaging content that you'll love.

A growing community: Join our community of readers and connect with like-minded individuals.

Opportunities to learn: Discover new things and expand your knowledge.


Thank you again for reading our blog. 

We're excited to see what the future holds!


Keywords: blog, visitors, international audience, USA, Spain, growth, community, content, thank you

Kinestema 2025: A Dynamic New Approach to Early Childhood Education

Discover what's new in the 2025 Edition:

Get ready to revolutionize your early childhood classroom! The all-new 2025 edition of Kinestema is here, and it's packed with exciting updates designed to make learning more engaging and effective for every child.

Whether you're teaching Pre-K, Kindergarten, or first grade, or working with students who have special needs, Kinestema 2025 offers a comprehensive and adaptable solution.

Updated kinestemas: Our iconic kinestemas have been refreshed with new designs and movements to spark curiosity and promote physical development.

Enhanced connectors: Strengthen connections between concepts with our improved connectors, fostering a deeper understanding of the material.


Redesigned font: Our easy-to-read font ensures optimal visual comfort and supports emerging readers.

More exercises: A variety of engaging exercises promote active learning and cater to different learning styles.

Improved design: The overall design has been streamlined for better readability and a more enjoyable learning experience.



Why Kinestema 2025 is a game-changer:


Inclusive design: Our materials are now even more inclusive, providing support for students with diverse needs.

Adaptable to individual needs: Kinestema can be customized to meet the unique requirements of each child, ensuring that every learner can succeed.

Engaging and effective: Our dynamic approach to learning keeps students motivated and promotes long-lasting learning.

Ready to experience the future of early childhood education?


Keywords: Kinestema, early childhood education, special needs, inclusive education, Pre-K, Kindergarten, first grade, updated, enhanced, redesigned, dynamic learning, engaging, effective

miércoles, 25 de octubre de 2023

 

OPAQUE AND TRANSPARENT LANGUAGES

 

Transparent and opaque languages are concepts used in linguistics to describe the relationship between orthography (the written form) and pronunciation (the spoken form) of words in a given language.

A transparent language is one in which the pronunciation of words can be easily determined from their spelling. In other words, the relationship between letters and sounds is fairly predictable and consistent. For example, in Spanish, in general, each letter represents a specific sound and is pronounced consistently.


On the other hand, an opaque language is one in which the pronunciation of words cannot be easily deduced from their spelling. This can be due to a variety of historical factors, such as changes in pronunciation over time, influence from other languages, or specific features of the language's phonology. In these languages, pronunciation rules may be more complex and less predictable.

It is important to note that there is no strict division between completely transparent and opaque languages. Most languages have elements of both. Some words in an opaque language may follow clear and consistent patterns, while in a transparent language there may be exceptions and words with irregular pronunciations.

Grapheme-phoneme transparency in reading


Grapheme-phoneme transparency is the relationship between the written form of a word (grapheme) and its pronunciation (phoneme). In a transparent writing system, the relationship between grapheme and phoneme is direct and consistent. This means that, in general, each grapheme represents a single phoneme, and each phoneme is represented by a single grapheme.
 

Differences between English and Spanish

English and Spanish are two writing systems with different degrees of grapheme-phoneme transparency. English is a relatively opaque writing system, while Spanish is a relatively transparent writing system.

In English, the correspondence between grapheme and phoneme is less direct and consistent than in Spanish. This is due to the fact that English has a complex pronunciation system with many exceptions to general rules. For example, the grapheme "ough" can represent different phonemes in words such as "tough", "though", and "through". (Gough & Tunmer, 1986)

In Spanish, the correspondence between grapheme and phoneme is more direct and consistent than in English. This is because Spanish has a more regular pronunciation system. For example, the grapheme "a" always represents the phoneme /a/, regardless of the position of the letter in the word. (Alegría, 2006)

Explanation of the differences


The differences in grapheme-phoneme transparency between English and Spanish can have a significant impact on the learning of reading in these two languages. In English, students must learn to recognize and apply a series of complex pronunciation rules. This can make it difficult for students who are not native speakers of the language to learn to read.

In Spanish, students have a more solid foundation for learning to read. The correspondence between grapheme and phoneme is more direct and consistent, which makes it easier to recognize words. This can help students learn to read faster and more efficiently. (Alegría, 2006)

Grapheme-phoneme transparency is an important factor that affects the learning of reading. Writing systems with high grapheme-phoneme transparency make it easier for students to learn to read.

Castles et al. (2003) studied children ages 6 to 7 from Scandinavia and the U.S./Australia. The children were tested on their oral language skills and reading and writing in their respective languages. Children with reading and spelling difficulties were defined as those in the bottom 20% of their age group in reading and/or writing.

The study found that children with reading and spelling difficulties had lower phonological knowledge and phonological awareness than children without reading and spelling difficulties. However, the differences between the two groups were larger in English and Australian (opaque) orthographies than in Scandinavian (transparent) orthographies.

 This suggests that phonological knowledge and awareness are more important for predicting reading and spelling difficulties in opaque orthographies, which are more complex and have fewer grapheme-phoneme correspondences.

Sánchez-López et al. (2009) reviewed the literature on phonemic awareness and reading acquisition in Spanish. The authors concluded that phonemic awareness is an important factor in reading acquisition in Spanish, but that its importance is less than in English.

A study conducted at the University of California, Berkeley (Goldenberg et al. 2014) examined the relationship between phonemic awareness and Spanish reading acquisition in three groups of Spanish-speaking children: children in Mexico who received Spanish reading instruction, and children in the United States who received Spanish or English reading instruction. Children were assessed on their oral language and Spanish reading skills at the beginning and end of first and second grade.

Children in Mexico had the lowest phonemic awareness of the three groups and very low reading skills at the beginning of first grade. However, by the end of second grade, they had matched or exceeded the reading skills of U.S. students, despite maintaining lower phonemic awareness.

The study findings called into question whether teaching phonemic awareness is beneficial for children learning to read in Spanish. The authors suggested that Spanish reading instruction should focus on developing basic phonological knowledge and teaching grapheme-phoneme correspondences. However, they also suggested that teachers should be aware that phonemic awareness may not have been the most important factor for Spanish reading success.

Based on the studies presented, we can conclude that phonemic awareness is a relevant predictor of reading in Spanish, although it is not as important as in English for student literacy. It is essential that Spanish reading programs use phonemic awareness exercises in a balanced way, to help students acquire reading more fluently and without excessive effort.


_______________

Alegría, J. (2006). La lectura en la primera infancia: Un enfoque psicolingüístico. Madrid: Síntesis.

Castles, A., Coltheart, M., Davis, C., & Martin, M. (2003). Predicting reading and spelling difficulties in children from different orthographies. Child Development, 74(4), 1140-1157. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8624.00582

Goldenberg, C., Tolar, T. D., Reese, L., Francis, D. J., Bazán, A. R., & Mejía-Arauz, R. (2014). How important is teaching phonemic awareness to children learning to read in Spanish? American Educational Research Journal, 51(3), 604-633. https://doi.org/10.3102/0002831214529082

Gough, P. B., & Tunmer, W. E. (1986). Decoding, reading, and reading disability. RASE: Remedial & Special Education, 7(1), 6–101

Sánchez-López, M., Pérez-Pereira, M., & Cuetos, F. (2009). The role of phonemic awareness in the acquisition of reading in Spanish: A literature review. International Journal of Psychology and Education, 2(1), 67-82. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2009.05.001


sábado, 7 de octubre de 2023

 

MULTISENSORY LEARNING

 

The Kinestema Program by Andrés Marín is based on a multisensory approach that utilizes different senses to facilitate student learning. Research findings demonstrate that multisensory strategies are effective in improving learning, particularly in the realm of literacy. The studies analyzed in this section support the hypothesis that multisensory learning is more effective than unisensory or bisensory learning.

The research of Slavin and Cheung (2003) together with the meta-analysis of Claessens and Harlaar (2008), support the view of Shams and Seitz (2008) on the efficacy of multisensory versus unisensory or bisensory learning. All of them found that multisensory instruction significantly improved the reading skills of students with learning difficulties.

Shams and Seitz argue that multisensory learning is more beneficial because it is more similar to how we experience the world and activates the brain’s multisensory learning mechanisms. According to these authors, training protocols that utilize unisensory stimuli may not be optimal for learning. Instead, they contend that training protocols incorporating multisensory stimuli can better replicate natural environments and are more effective for learning.

Kuo and Anderson (2010) examined the impact of multisensory instruction on learning the meanings of words. They found that multisensory instruction significantly improved students' ability to learn and remember new words, concluding that it is an effective strategy for enhancing word learning. On the other hand, DeClercq et al. (2011) conducted a meta-analysis of 16 studies that assessed the impact of multisensory instruction on reading skills in children with dyslexia. The authors found that multisensory instruction significantly improved reading abilities in children with dyslexia, compared to those who received unisensory or bisensory instruction. Overall, they concluded that multisensory instruction is an effective strategy for improving reading skills in children with dyslexia.

To highlight the idea, Syahputri (2018) designed an experimental study with seventh-grade and second-year high school students in Indonesia and found that the multisensory teaching method had a significant positive effect on students' reading achievement. The multisensory teaching method accounted for 82% of the change in students' reading achievement, while the remaining 18% was influenced by other factors. The pretest and posttest results showed that students who received the multisensory teaching method performed better on reading comprehension tests than students who received traditional instruction.

To conclude, I would like to cite a literature review by Gómez and López (2020) where they explored how multisensory teaching can optimize literacy learning. The authors examined various studies and found that multisensory teaching improved reading comprehension, spelling, and handwriting. Additionally, the authors concluded that students who received multisensory instruction also improved their ability to identify and manipulate language sounds. Overall, they concluded that multisensory teaching is an effective strategy for literacy learning.

 

 References

 

Claessens, A., & Harlaar, N. (2008). The effects of multisensory instruction on the reading comprehension of children with learning disabilities: A meta-analysis. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 41(2), 143-161.

DeClercq, N., Van Keer, H., & Desoete, A. (2011). The effects of multisensory instruction on the reading skills of children with dyslexia: A meta-analysis. Dyslexia, 17(4), 331-344.

Gómez, A., & López, M. (2020). La enseñanza multisensorial en el aprendizaje de la lectoescritura: una revisión de la literatura. Aula de Innovación Educativa, 247, 60-65.

Kuo, L.-J., & Anderson, R. C. (2010). The effect of multisensory instruction on the learning of word meanings. Reading Research Quarterly, 45(2), 389-404. https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.67

Shams L, Seitz AR. Benefits of multisensory learning. Trends Cogn Sci. 2008 Nov;12(11):411-7. doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2008.07.006. PMID: 18805039.  

Slavin, R. E., & Cheung, A. (2003). Effective reading instruction for students with learning disabilities: A best-evidence synthesis. Review of Educational Research, 73(1), 447-484.

Syahputri, D. (2018). The Effect of Multisensory Teaching Method on The Students' Reading Achievement. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 8(11), 1-4.