A very important part of speech development is NARRATION.How do we know the capacity of speech in a child?How do we come to know that a child is able to communicate?How do we judge the child's understanding of spoken language and the perception.
The only way of knowing is through comprehension of narration.As with comprehension comes expression of thoughts i.e. speech.The process involves- listening to everything, registering that , remembering it through language and then be able to narrate it in the language he/ she has acquired ,age appropriate.The comprehension is best checked when it is out of context .Talk to the child about an incident or a subject that is not around or out of the blue.Then see whether s/he is able to even understand what you are talking, give them hints in spoken language and then ask them to speak about it.I have realized that if the incident has been carefully and in detail told to the child, s/he through good detailing learns to visualize it and retains it in the brain.When we ask them to remember it they are able to relate better and even though may not be able to fully narrate it but using their own language are able to make out and narrate it quite accurately.It is a good idea to regularly ask them to narrate a birthday party they went to, a shopping experience or a day in class.Do correct where required and give words and sentences where they falter.
I agree with you!I cant help connecting your observations to the pedagogy i work with young children.Thats why I feel mother's llike yourself are valuable theorist too !
ReplyDeleteThe ability to narrate is evidence of children's comprehension, ability to revisit/ recall/reflect on experiences/ incidents are powerful learning tools. This learning process helps children to make new connections/link new concepts/ideas to previous knowledge/experiences.
Making deeper, richer meaning of the world around us enriches children's learning.
To make the experience of revisting/recalling/ reflecting interesting/meaningful to children, I make use of digital technology and graphic representaions.
I observe children naturally respond to these techniques for learning language, developing thinking and creative communication.
For example to continue the learning/assimilation process of any interesting outing or project or child's observation we replay the visuals for children to revist the experience /responses of their friends, reflection on their own experiences. I document children words/thinking which helps to know what children already know and want to know. I use this knowledge to ask questions and further scaffold children's thinking thus moving away from mechanical interactions.
In my observation the visual(video/photographs/voice recording) also work as a good provocation to revist and recall past experiences with much enthusiasm and interest.Children add new details to ever increasing connections they keep making to their intial perceptions/ concepts / theories/ problem solving etc.
To get a better understanding of the use of technology for children's learning I invite you to visit and see Dr George Forman's pioneering work at wwww.videatives.com
See What Children Know™
warm wishes from Singapore