By Andrea Story, education specialist, SESA

The Child

Ramona is two and a half years old. It is not clear what she hears or sees, although neither sense serves her well, according to family and doctor observations. She has a syndrome that includes severe orthopedic limitations, a seizure disorder, and hydrocephalus. She requires special positioning, and she is fed with a G-tube. She is not motivated to move much, and her response time is very delayed. Her parents, various therapists, and other home visitors are frustrated that Ramona tends to shut down often– closing her eyes and sometimes going to sleep.

The Opportunity

What will get her attention and encourage her to try to look, reach, make sounds, and share with others in communicating? One way that was successful with Ramona was to give her access to emerging literacy activities, such as listening to a story or a song, and then participating in taking turns with the storytelling and singing. Storytelling and singing are both ancient human endeavors that happen to be the basic structure that literacy is built upon and can be found happening in homes, day care centers, and schools everywhere. However, they are often not considered useful for children like Ramona. Sometimes books are not provided to children, because it is reported they don’t use them properly, or because they won’t understand the story. Here is one example of how the tradition of reading a story or singing a song can be adjusted for a young child or student who is “differently abled.”

When Ramona was shown the children’s book “Are You My Mommy?” with it’s moving pop-up faces and simple backgrounds, her expression changed from a blank stare to an alert expression. She smiled and she worked to fixate on the images. (A surprise to everyone in the room.) On almost every page of this children’s book there is the line, “Are you my mommy?” After hearing the story, Ramona was given the chance to make this line, “Are you my mommy?” play from a tape recorder set up with a big button switch. On accident, Ramona’s hand hit the switch and the voice said, “Are you my mommy?” Later, she gently pushed down on the switch that was held near her to make the line play the next time the page was turned. During the next visit, the physical therapist was anxious to show a new book that Ramona also liked and responded to. Each of the cardboard pages slid out to show a different picture. Ramona shifted her eyes from left to right in anticipation of the next picture. Her eyes moved to the exact spot where the new picture would be opened up (her response time was in perfect synch with the turning pages!).

A short children’s song was introduced to Ramona. The song was often sung to her, until she was familiar with it. Then the switch was again used to help her participate. The home visitor sang: “All around the cobblers bench the monkey chased the weasel, the monkey thought it all in fun…” Then Ramona hit the switch and the recorded voice sang “Pop goes the weasel”–her movements becoming more and more purposeful.

The Question

Will Ramona ever read the book or sing the song by herself? Ramona’s learning is at a very slow pace. But even the slowest of learners has the capacity to keep learning no matter the pace, no matter the ultimate achievement. Learning to take “your turn” and becoming purposeful in your movements–these are important skills for any human. Limits are placed on the opportunities for children like Ramona and doors are closed. Reasons such as “the child learns too slowly,” or “the child will not handle the book properly” are given. These children need more opportunities, not less. They challenge us all to find ways to keep them learning.

Predictable Books

These books contain a lot of repetition and still maintain high interest.

Are You My Mommy?
Baby-O
Brown Bear, Brown Bear
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Coconut Mon
How About a Hug?
I Know an Old Lady
I Went Walking
Is Your Mama a Llama?
Polar Bear, Polar Bear
Sheep in a Jeep
Ten in the Bed
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
The Very Busy Spider
Wheels on the Bus
Wicker’s Wishes