How can the Fast ForWord program build learning capacity and reading skills for all students, regardless of their ages and current ability?
This short video explains that the neuroscience-based exercises in the patented Fast ForWord programs simultaneously develop thinking skills (memory, attention, processing speed and the ability to sequence sounds, words and ideas) as well as language skills including:
• Phonological awareness
• Phonemic awareness
• Vocabulary
• Syntax
• Grammar
Watch the video:
Prefer to read the video transcript? Here it is.
Fast ForWord Builds Learning Capacity and Reading Skills
The programs incorporate patented software that uses applied neuroscience to build the brain's learning capacity. And they use an integrated method of developing both cognitive and language skills.
Cognitive skills
The cognitive skills that are incorporated into all of the Fast ForWord programs include memory, attention, sequencing, and processing.
Memory
So if we look a little bit more in-depth at those four cognitive skills, we see that we need memory for learning - both short-term memory, and long-term memory. Working memory, is the bridge between those two.
Attention
Attention is absolutely crucial for learning. So as we mentioned in our previous session, every exercise in all of the Fast ForWord programs develop attention, because nothing happens until the child pays attention.
Sequencing
We know that sequencing skills are really important for all aspects of learning as well, in things like spelling, written expression, and maths. All of those skills require sequencing.
Processing
And we know that processing speed is vital for learning as well, and these neuroscience-based programs work on auditory processing to speed up the children's ability to process language.
Language skills
So not only are we developing cognitive skills to improve students' learning capacity, we're also developing language skills. And there's a whole range of language skills that are developed in the programs.
We've known, for many years now, that for children with language and reading impairment, it's those phonological skills that are weak.
Reading & Spelling
So we're building phonological awareness, those skills that are crucial for developing reading and spelling, and more specifically, the skill of phonemic awareness, which directly relates to the ability to analyse sounds within words and deal with those sounds, and we know that's a prerequisite for reading and spelling.
Vocabulary
We're also developing vocabulary at every level, from simple vocabulary to very complex vocabulary, and in the later programs, developing the ability to understand Greek and Latin roots, which many of our English words are based on.
Syntax & Grammar
So in addition to building the phonological and vocabulary skills, in both oral and written language, the programs also develop syntax and grammar skills for both understanding oral language and reading.
So we can see that the Fast ForWord programs cross-train those cognitive and language skills that are vital for developing both oral language and reading.
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