Is SoundWorks suitable for your child?
SoundWorks is intended for 5 to 7 year-olds. It is suitable for any child who has difficulty with reading and writing and is falling behind the others in his class.
For children who do not experience difficulty, SoundWorks will certainly do no harm. It is just that for them the detailed nature of the programme is unnecessary as they will pick things up without any difficulty in the normal classroom situation.
The SoundWorks programme is particularly suitable for dyslexics, and for children with speech and language difficulties.
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Is the level right?
SoundWorks will help children who are complete beginners and have not yet learnt any of the letters.
It is equally suitable for children who already know the letters but have difficulty with simple
3-letter words like top, pen, fit, had, nut.
If your child has mastered 3-letter words, you will need to check whether SoundWorks is suitable by asking him to spell the following words:
wet map peg swim lamp mend pin
soft list nut dust stamp fun trip
lid plug grand log drop trust flag
Give the words as a written test.
Say each word in a normal voice, without exaggerating the sounds. If you need to, put the word in a sentence to make the meaning clear. Allow plenty of time and don't give any help.
If many of these words are incorrect, SoundWorks is suitable for your child. You start part-way through the course, with a simple Test showing you where to begin.
If most of the words are correct, SoundWorks is too easy for your child.
Alternatively, you might like to give your child the test and then ring us on 01647 440703 to discuss the result. The mistakes children make give a very clear picture of what they understand and where their difficulties lie.
Do you have the time to commit to this programme?
For children to make worthwhile and lasting progress, a little-and-often approach is needed: about 15-20 minutes 4 or 5 times a week. This is the best way to work. If lessons are less frequent, progress may be slower and children more likely to forget what they have learnt.
Who will teach your child?
Most probably this will be you yourself. But if you don't have the time, there are many other possibilities - grandparents, friends or neighbours, or even someone you employ. As SoundWorks is designed for people who are not trained teachers, it is safe in the hands of anyone who is prepared to work through the programme methodically. Everything is explained, and no previous knowledge or experience is necessary. You simply need someone who is warm, encouraging and conscientious - and who gets on well with your child.
Is it hard to teach children after school?
A frequent concern is whether a child will be willing to work on SoundWorks after a full day at school. It's impossible to answer this question as children vary enormously! However, experience has shown that most children enjoy their lessons and find them
fun. Holding the child's attention is built into the design of SoundWorks: the teaching materials are brightly coloured, attractive to work with
and designed to provide variety and interest; also, much of the learning is in
the form of games and activities, and because children are constantly moving on to
something new, interest is maintained and the feeling of
progress is encouraging. The regular 15-minute lessons you spend with your child should be
something you both enjoy!
If you do find lessons difficult to arrange after school, here are some solutions that have worked for other parents:
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Get up a bit earlier and have a 15 minute lesson before you set off for school.
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If you take your child to school every morning, the class teacher might allow you to work in a corner of the classroom (or the library) before the other children come in.
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Some parents arrange to teach their child at school during the school day (in the library or somewhere quiet). Your child is certainly not alone in needing extra help - if you do this you may end up teaching other children as well as your own!
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Finally, several parents have ended up donating their SoundWorks pack to the school so that the classroom assisitant can work with their child, along with other children.
Is it wise to start so young?
This is a question that may have crossed your mind. SoundWorks is written for 5 and 6 year-olds and so the tone is right for them and in no way threatening. If children are falling behind at school and finding it difficult, they are usually delighted to be given help and relieved to find that they 'can do it' after all. Confidence and self-esteem should rise, and if the difficulty they experience is part of a long-term problem, then an early start is all to the good. The only reason not to start early is if you pressure your child and the lessons become a battle. In this case, it is far better to stop.
Before ordering
If there is anything further you would like to discuss before deciding whether to purchase SoundWorks, we shall be happy to help in any way we can.
Please phone 01647 440703
or email your query to us:
We are confident that SoundWorks is an effective programme, offering excellent value for money. However, if when you purchase SoundWorks, you decide that it is not suitable for your child, we offer a full refund on the purchase price if the goods are returned within 30 days.
Add a comment?
If you already use SoundWorks and find it helpful, perhaps you would like to make a comment for us to quote on this site? If so, you can email your comment to us. If we plan to use what you send us, we shall contact you beforehand.
SoundWorks User Site
We have set up a User Site for parents, which will feature teaching tips, ideas for games and activities and answers to common questions. If there is anything you would particularly like covered on the site, please email us your thoughts on the Comment Form below:
