Myra Friedman Program Promotes Earlier Language Among At-Risk Children

The Myra Friedman Early Language Program is an important new part of expanding early language efforts in the Pediatric Resource Center. It helps youngsters to become more adept at language skills by encouraging them to incorporate word-related activities into their daily play.

The Myra Friedman Program serves children ages 3 through 10 in the Resource Center’s playroom. Children are taught to incorporate writing and storytelling as they enjoy the room’s multiple play areas.

Within the housekeeping corner, for example, children can create shopping lists or take telephone messages. In the doctor’s corner, activities might include writing out prescriptions and creating medical charts.

Child development specialists also have an opportunity to monitor children’s speech in a non-threatening environment. Youngsters who need extra help can be referred to more structured programs.

All artwork that children create while in the playroom is used as a means of language development. For example, as youngsters paint or draw, playroom staff work with them to create stories about their paintings or drawings. Staff might write the child’s description onto the painting to build the association and so that the child’s work takes on a book-like appearance.

The Myra Friedman Early Language Program attempts to vividly demonstrate to children that writing and language are essential and enjoyable components of everyday life rather than chores associated exclusively with school and homework.

The Friedman Program is an integral element of the larger treatment plan being undertaken by the Pediatric Resource Center to support and advance language development.

Reach Out and Read, Children of Bellevue’s first such effort, seeks to encourage the love of reading and books among children 6 months to 5 years old. The Video Interaction Project addresses language development beginning at birth among children at very high risk of delay.

This focus arises because the children seen in the PRC usually lag behind their peers in language development.

Myra Friedman was a dedicated Reach Out and Read volunteer. Her family established the Myra Friedman Early Language Program in her memory to recognize her love of reading and children.

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