Evaluating speech and

language in preschoolers

| Concluding Betier
Speech and Hearing Mont

_ depth community.

Contributed by
Maureen Fox

Both social and academic suc-
cess depend on well-developed
speech and language skills. So it
is not surprising that parents
become concerned if they feel
that their child may not be
achieving in this area as ex-
pected. In this summary follow-
ing Better Speech and Hearing
Month, common areas of con-
cern are outlined,

The following checklist of
developmental milestones (taken
from ‘‘Parent Articles’? by
Margaret Schrader) could serve
as a “thumbnail” guide in
evaluating both Janguage — the
use of words and sentences.

@ One-year-old children should
be able to understand a variety
of words and should be using a
few single words.

@ By age two, words should be
combined into two- and three-
word phrases and sentences.

@ Between the ages of three and
five, children learn to carry on a
conversation, ask and answer
questions, follow and give direc-
tions, and speak alone in the
presence of a group. These skills
are. important to success in
Kindergarten,

@ After age five,’ -sentences
become increasingly complex.
Children begin using words like
“‘when’’, ‘‘while”’, and ‘‘since’’
to relate two or more ideas in a
single sentence. The language
level used by teachers and text-
books assumes that children
have this skill by the age of seven
or eight.

@ Asarule, children use under-
standable speech by age four
and use all speech sounds cor-
rectly by age five to seven.

In addition to speech and
language issues, parents may
become concerned about the
fluency of a child’s speech.
Repetitions or prolongations of

.sounds and words interrupt the

smooth flow of speech and may
be considered stuttering.. While
most preschoolers experience
some ‘‘normal’’ disfluency
characterized by revisions, inter-
jections, and word and phrase
repetitions, it is not common for
a child to have a great-many in-
terruptions of individual words
(sound repetitions, broken

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words, or prolongations).

Occasionally, parents identify
an unusual voice quality. The
most common deviation among
preschoolers is an excessively

harsh voice. This is usually

caused by frequent misuse of the
voice in activities such as
screaming, constant throat
clearing or coughing, straining
to imitate noises# (e.g., engines,
screeching brakes, or sirens), or
just speaking too loudly. Con-

sistent misuse of the voice can
lead to swelling of the vocal
folds and growths called
nodules, which may require
surgical removal. Temporary
hoarseness is not ‘uncommon,
but if it persists for a month or
more, it should be investigated,

Because development is highly
individualized, care must always
be taken in applying rigid

‘development expectations when

evaluating a child’s communica-
tive skill. However, if concerns
exist, professional consultation
is recommended. A physician or
a public health nurse could
direct referrals to the Skeena
Health Unit or to the Terrace
Child Development Centre.

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Coming

information concerning the Twin River Estates project
is available from the Skeena Senlor Citizens’ Housing
Society office, corner of Apsley Street and Lakelse
Avenue, each Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m.

Heritage Park is now open to the public five days a
week, Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For infor-
mation regarding school tours, weddings, family por-
traits or large group tours, phone Heritage Park at
635-4546 or 635-2508.

Team Play Horseshoe — There will be a horseshoe
training program for anyone who would like to play.
Come out Wednesday evenings or Sunday afternoons. It
is fun and good participation. For more information, call
635-2856.

Wednesday, June 6 — The annual Senior Citizen Tea,
sponsored by the Order of the Royal Purple (0.0.R.P.),
will be held at the Elks Hall, 2822 Tetrault,Street, Ter-
race at 2 p.m. Admission is frée. Lots: of prizes. All
Seniors in Terrace are welcome to attend. For further in-
formation, call Vi Bonick at 635-9228 after 6 p.m.

_ Wednesday, June 6 — General meeting of the
Terrace/Thornhiil band parents, room 18, Skeena Junior

| Secondary at 7:30 p.m. All parents of band students are
urged to attend.

June 6 and 7 — The Luso Canadian/Kitimat Hospital
Bike-a-thon Society is holding two nights of “Vegas”
with full casino tables and the exclusive Mucki Duck.
Each evening, door prizes will be presented — June 6,
answering machine donated by B.C. Tel; June 7,
weekend for two at the Terrace Inn. Proceeds from the
Vegas nights will go to the Kitimat General Hospital
towards the purchase of mammography equipment.
Come out and support this fun and worthwhile cause
from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Luso Canadian Hall, 159
Konigus St. (behind Riverlodge) in Kitimat.

June 8, 9 and 10 — 10-game summer singles at the Terrace
Bowling Lanes. Entry fee $50, $4,000 in prizes. Sign up now
at the Terrace Bowling Lanes, .

Saturday, June 9 — The Terrace Foster Parent Associa-
tion and the Family Support Institute will present a

_ workshop on sexuality. This workshop is designed for
Parents who have a son or daughter with a developmen-
tal disability. For more Information or to register, con-
tact Suzanne Higginson at 638-1865 or Judy Healey at
638-8756.

Saturday, June 9 — What can we do to help the alcohol
or drug dependent person, the co-dependent, and
ourselves? Watch “Under the Influence”, a feature
movie starring Andy Griffith, at 7 p.m. at the McColl
Playhouse on Kalum Street. A humorous skit titled “The

_ Family’ will be presented by the Terrace Little Theatre.

_ Advance tickets only with limited seating, available at

Sight and Sound, Benson Optical, Jim-Fulton’s office
and Northwest Alcohol and Drug Services..

Saturday, June 9 — CAR WASH from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at
Terrace Mohawk. Terrace Special Olympics and Terrace
Kinettes are raising money for next year’s Special Olym-
espe ame. For more Information, cal! Joan Cox at

'. Saturday, June 9 — “Music in the Park” at Heritage
Park, 12:30 to 3 p.m. Admission free, donations
welcome. 12:30, Norm Desjardins.and friends, Old time
fiddlers, the Horse'‘and Buggy Club display; 1:00, Ginny
Lowrie and her voice students who will be performing at
the Festival of the Arts in Victoria later in the summer;
2:00, Skeena Square Dancers. Bring your lunch and a

Events

chair and come early. Sponsored by the Terrace
Regional Museum Society.

Saturday, June § — The 747 Air Cadet Squadron, spon-
sored by the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 13, will be
holding its annual inspection at 3 p.m. at the Cadet hall
across from the Terrace airport. Everyone is welcome to
attend. Mr. Ken Higgins, president of the Air Cadet
League of B.C., will be in attendance.

Sunday, June 10 — You are cordially invited to a
musicai rendezvous with your Terrace Community Band
at 2 p.m. at Lower Little Park. Don’t miss the fun!!

Tuesday, June 12 — The general meeting of the Royal
Canadian Legion Br. 13, Terrace, will be held at 8 p.m.
All members are urged to attend.

Tuesday, June 12 — You are cordially invited to attend

. the reguiar school board meeting of School District No.
88 (Terrace) in the school board office, 3211 Kenney
Street, Terrace, at 7:30 p.m.

Monday, June 11 — The Terrace Child Development
Centre cordially invites you to our annual general
meeting at 7:30 p.m., 2510 S. Eby Street. The.Centre wiil
be open at 7 p.m. Please come and view our displays.

Wednesday, June 13 — Ksan House Society will be
holding their annual general meeting in the library
meeting room. All members and interested are urged to
attend. Please phone 635-2373 for information.

Friday, June 15 — Old-fashioned barn dance, sponsored
by the Skeena Valley Fairs Assoc., from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
at the Thornhill Community Centre. Tickets are
available at Sight and Sound and the Terrace Co-op
customer service counter. No admission to those under
19 years of age.

Saturday, June 16 — HOWDOYOUDO DAY!! The Ter-
race Travel InfoCentre would like to invite the entire
community to come join them at their open house from
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This special day is the official opening
of another busy touristic season. Come in and see what
the InfoCentre has to offer you, its residents, as well as
its visitors.

June 18 and 19 — Northwest Academy of Performing
Arts fall registration, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 308-4722 Lakelse
Avenue. ,

Tuesday, June 19 — Friends and Families of
Schizophrenics Support Group meeting at 7:30 p.m.,
Mills Memorial Hospital psych conference room. Con-
tact Mental Health, 638-3325,

Friday, June 22 — Take advantage of all the fresh fruits
available. Find out how to use alll your fruit, all year long.
Terrace Women’s Resource Centre, 1:30 to 4 p.m.

Monday, June 25 — A talk on menopause and how it af-
facts you and your family. Terrace Women’s Resource
Centre, 7:30 p.m.

July 16 to August 10 — The Terrace Peaks Gymnastics
Club has booked Skeena Junior Secondary School fora
gymnastics summer camp, Mondays through Fridays.
Pat McRoberts, new head coach for the club, will be in
charge of all programs. Children three years and up may
register for one week or more, and registration forms -
can be picked up at All Seasons Sporting Goods. All pro-
ceeds from the camp will go towards construction of
the club’s new gymnasium, so come out for some sum-
mer tumbling fun. . :

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