Wordwindow and Special Needs Kids

In many ways, the DVD applies to special needs kids the same way it applies to all kids. One way is to teach the concept of 'building'. The program illustrates how letters are made of individual lines, and how words are made of individual letters and sounds, strung together in a particular sequence. By learning how to build letters and words, special needs kids develop a sense of accomplishment. They learn that they themselves have the ability to create something that is meaningful and useful to others. They learn the identity and name of objects and actions such as 'drum', 'hug', 'tickle' or 'kitty'. This helps them develop a sense of self and a sense of how to interact through communication with others.

Another learning tool found in the DVD is the use of silly sounds. While probably not obvious to the child, silly sounds embody the difference between right and left brain thinking. They are in contrast to meaningful sounds such as letter names, or words, in that they have no meaning or content other than play. They function to reinforce an indirect understanding of the difference between left and right brain styles of thinking. For example, hooting, humming or non-verbal singing seem to be abstract, right brain style activities. Constructing words and naming letters are analytical left brain style types of thinking. By combining the two forms of thinking, the DVD encourages individual and synthesized use of each type of cognitive development.

Of particular application to some special needs kids is the DVD's overall structure. For example, the information presented is often repeated, but with a bit of variety added to the repetition. As such, it allows special needs kids to feel comfortable with its predictability, while at the same time nudging them toward an understanding and enjoyment of variety within an object or concept. The DVD's structure also allows the kids to blurt out a label or 'answer' before it is given on the screen. Thereby, a tendency to imagine and anticipate visuals, sounds or actions is developed.

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