Research
Michael Jones is currently conducting two pieces of UK-wide research. Both are aimed at supporting children with communication difficulties, their families and schools.
Children with Selective Mutism: using computer software to develop and support confidence in speaking at school.
Selective mutism is a condition that mainly affects girls. Children are able to speak at home, but increasingly find themselves unable to speak outside the home, and especially at school. This research involves supporting children at home, by introducing them to two pieces of fun educational software that promote the development of reading, spelling and language development. Once the children are familiar with the programs, we will introduce the programs into the child's school, for them to use initially with an adult, then with small groups, and finally with the whole class.
The aim is to gradually increase the children's confidence in communication with other children, using the software as a means of bringing the children together in fun and familiar activities. This hopefully will support the children with selective mutism in the early stages of their development as confident speakers in school.
Michael is actively seeking the participation of families throughout the UK, and all enquiries will be very welcome.
Children with a history of 'Glue Ear': identifying and supporting children with reading and spelling difficulties.
Otitis media, caused by infection within the middle ear, is the most common conditions of early childhood requiring medical intervention. If untreated, it can lead to the condition known as 'Glue ear', which typically leads to hearing impairment. Surgery may be carried out , with the insertion of 'grommets' into the child's eardrums. While medical intervention often leads to considerable improvements in hearing, many children are at risk of having later reading and spelling difficulties. Teachers are often unaware of the link between a child's earlier hearing loss and their reading and spelling difficulties.
In this research we will use the Lexion software to identify children with reading and spelling difficulties. The program sets the children fun activities that are specifically designed to improve listening skills and reading and spelling. Children will use the software at home, amd later transfer the software to the school for use in the classroom.
The aim of the research is to highlight the link between early glue ear and later reading and spelling difficulties. We will be looking at the value of introducing software at home, and later at school.
Michael is actively seeking the participation of families throughout the UK, and all enquiries will be very welcome.