This highly interactive workshop for educators and speech pathologists will focus on how to support narrative development for: oral language development, re-telling, telling, writing and comprehending stories. MindWing Concepts patented methodology and tools, the Story Grammar App (iPad), the Story Grammar Marker® (SGM®) and Braidy the Story Braid® Puppet will be used. See www.mindwingconcepts.com for more details on this intervention and approach.

These colourful, interactive hands-on tools are used to help children think, communicate and learn. They use removable parts that help children develop literate oral language abilities by incorporating story grammar structure and sentence building, together with the foundations of critical and social thinking skills. This approach can be used with typically developing students as well as children with language learning disabilities, English language learners and children with autism spectrum disorders.

Through hands-on participation, small group interactions, guided practise and modelling, participants will understand how to analyse the structure of texts and children’s narratives as well as apply this knowledge to present interactive tools to children in individual therapy sessions and the classroom.

Participants can expect to rejuvenate and add to their therapy and classroom tool kit with a range of practical, innovative and creative ideas for fostering oral language and literacy development. Therapy Matters and Words to Grow are the only clinics approved by MindWing Concepts to deliver this training in Australia.

PRESENTER:Tania Blunden (Speech Pathologist – Words to Grow)

Tania Blunden has had diverse work experiences both within and outside of the field of speech pathology. Tania Blunden worked at Therapy Matters for many years before establishing her own private practice in Brisbane (Words to Grow). Prior to Therapy Matters, Tania worked for Education Queensland in primary, secondary and special education settings. She has also undertaken further postgraduate studies in counselling and education. This training shaped Tania’s current speciality interest areas in the field of adolescents as well as school aged communication and learning difficulties. In September, 2010, Tania attended MindWing Concepts training in the United States on Braidy the StoryBraid, The Story Grammar Marker and The Autism Collection. This training changed and invigorated her therapy with school aged children and she is excited to share these techniques with others.

COST:

$350 Speech Pathologists / Educators

$300 Speech Pathology Students

Includes:

• Tea, Coffee, Morning Tea, Afternoon Tea and Lunch
• MindWing Resources - Teacher Story Grammar Marker, Complete Episode Mini Poster, Quick Reference Story Grammar Marker Pen, Mini Magnets and Language/Literacy Development Checklist

For more details go to www.therapymatters.com.au