A-State's Speech and Hearing Enhancement Summer Camp: Where Kids Shine

Jonesboro, AR – This summer, the Speech and Hearing Clinic (SHC) at Arkansas State University (A-State) delivered a special experience through an intensive summer camp, helping children ages six to twelve make outstanding progress in their literacy skills. The program was specially designed to support children who struggle with reading and writing, such as those with dyslexia, while also preventing skill regression over the summer break.

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A Focus on Comprehensive Literacy Development

The heart of the summer camp was building reading ability through four hours of intensive training each week. Children were introduced to a structured curriculum, including the Barton Reading and Spelling System, which significantly improved their ability to decode words, phrases, and passages while mastering spelling rules.

The highlight of this year's camp was a special performance of the play "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." This was a wonderful opportunity for the children to directly apply the literacy skills they had learned: reading the script, planning the production together, decorating the set, and rehearsing their lines. The event not only helped reinforce their learning but also nurtured teamwork and confidence.

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The Future of Speech and Hearing Therapy

The camp's success owes much to the contributions of graduate students majoring in communication disorders. This was a valuable opportunity for them to gain hands-on experience in literacy intervention and to deepen their understanding of complex disorders such as dyslexia. The dedication of both the students and graduate assistants created a positive learning environment with a clear, measurable impact.

Many parents shared how remarkably their children progressed, not only in improving academic skills but also in developing coping skills essential for the school environment. A-State's Speech and Hearing Enhancement Summer Camp continues to underscore the importance of early, effective intervention in supporting children's overall development.