Our first C4A Academy Case Study is with Leon, a 6-year-old nonspeaker with a bundle of energy. You will see how he progressed from not being able to sit in a chair to typing his thoughts. He saw our partner, Judy Chinitz of Mouth to Hand Learning Center, once each month. Leon’s mother, Maddy, used our C4A Academy instructional videos as guides to practice with him in short sessions every day.
We are grateful for Judy, Leon, and Maddy allowing us to share their journey from Day 1. You will see how one of the world’s best typing coaches works with her students. Each of the monthly session videos is broken up into parts with an agenda in the beginning and a summary at the end. At the end of each monthly session, you have the special treat of seeing Maddy practicing with Leon at home. We call this our Moment of MOM Zen. Enjoy!
Please use these videos as actionable guidance as Judy shares her tips learned over thousands of hours teaching nonspeakers to type.
Meet Leon
Month 1
Session 1, Part 1: First Letters
- Sit in the chair
- Hold pencil & form a point
- Type first words
Session 1, Part 2: Probing Pencil & Pointing
- Use a pencil
- Form a finger point
- Make the sessions fun
Session 1, Part 3: Early Coaching
- Green & purple questions
- Don’t rush!
- Believe in your child
Session 1, Part 4: Coaching the Eyes
- Auditory coaching
- Reset the board
- Don’t let the typer flounder
Month 2
Session 2, Part 1: Rhythmic Voice Coaching
- Keep typer’s body moving
- Auditory cues & hand gestures
- Prior Knowledge question
Session 2, Part 2: Increasing the Challenges
- Type longer words
- Type two-word answers
- Prior Knowledge question
Session 2, Part 3: Semi-Open & Number Questions
- Semi-open question
- Different coaching methods
- Number question
Month 3
Session 3, Part 1: Working Through a Tough Session
- Distracted typer
- Increase coaching level
- Everyone can have a bad day
Month 4
Session 4, Part 1: Semi-Open & “Talking”
- Semi-open on 3 boards
- “Talking” with Judy
- First sentence!
Session 4, Part 2: Semi-Open & Prior Knowledge
- Semi-open on 3 stencils
- No coaching at first
- Probe prior knowledge
Session 4, Part 3: Pencil Grips & Pointing
- Plastic pencil holder
- Practice pointing
- Pencil can be a distraction
Month 5
Session 5, Part 1: Sensory Boards & Big Stencil
- Finger point working
- Moving to 26-letter board
- Increase coaching level
Session 5, Part 2: Probing Cognitive & Motor
- Probes motor ability
- Increases motor & cognitive
- Decreases cognitive for motor
Session 5, Part 3: 26-Letter Stencil Joy
- Weaving in big board
- Two words on 26-letter stencil
- Back to 3 boards
Month 6
Session 6, Part 1: Emerging Open Communication on Sensory Board
- Letter I may be difficult to find
- Complex Semi-open to Open
- How to coach emerging Open
Session 6, Part 2: Moving to the Letter Board!
- Accurate on a sensory board
- Complex Semi-open questions
- Letter board for first time!
Session 6, Part 3: Coaching on the 26 Letter Boards
- Increase coaching for success
- Advanced coaching methods
- Coaching Open communication
Month 7
Session 7, Part 1: Fully on the Letter Board!
- New letter board elements
- Cognitive-Motor Seesaw
- I DON’T KNOW
Session 7, Part 2: Open Communication Starts Small
- Letter board warm-up
- Open answer with single word
- Open answer in a sentence
Session 7, Part 3: Sense of Humor
- “Tell me more”
- Look for a sense of humor
- Back and forth conversation
Session 7, Part 4: Opinions and Decisions
- Open communication
- Expressing an opinion
- Making a decision
Month 8
Session 8, Part 1: Warm Up the Eyes & Body
- Coach the eyes to the board
- Head massage for regulation
- Advanced coaching methods
Session 8, Part 2: Openly Expressing Emotions
- Minds can wander
- Try using emoticons
- Expression of emotions
Month 9
Session 9, Part 1: Becoming Fluent on the Letter Board
- Start with a warm-up
- Check with typer and correct
- Open communication process
Session 9, Part 2: Expressing Opinions & Creative Writing
- Typer gets to make choices
- Moving beyond facts
- Powerful motivators
Month 10
Session 10, Part 1: What Subject Does Leon Love?
- Board flipping
- Initiation challenges
- Getting your open answer
Session 10, Part 2: The Hyper Typer
- “What’s going on?”
- Breakthrough coaching
- Get typer’s excessive energy out
Month 11
Session 11, Part 1: Writing a Poem!
- Minimal coaching
- More with fewer words
- This bird can sing!
Month 12
Coming Soon!
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