A common challenge with hyperlexic kids is language comprehension.
So it's something that we've been working hard at, especially over the past year, using the Lindamood Bell Visualizing and Verbalizing program.
We have been seeing great improvement in comprehension already, which is awesome.
But, sometimes, I find that the materials aren't quite what we need or don't really work for what we need. So I needed to adapt or change some things to fit my son's learning style better and so that he could use the materials in other contexts, like at school.
I made these language comprehension words cards as a supplement to our kit and they have been helpful so far.
Gander Publishing provided me with a copy of the Visualizing and Verbalizing Kit to review and try with my son. All opinions are my own and 100% honest.
What is the Visualizing and Verbalizing Kit?
The Lindamood Bell Visualizing and Verbalizing kit is designed to help improve reading comprehension by building concept imagery.
Basically, it's a program designed to help kids who struggle to create pictures or movies in their minds while reading. Something most kids with hyperlexia find challenging to do.
Here are some resources to help you get familiar with the Visualizing and Verbalizing program:
- Homeschool Visualizing & Verbalizing Bundle - This is the kit we were given as it's better suited for one-on-one instruction.
- Visualizing & Verbalizing Full Kit - This is the full kit and is much larger than the bundle we were given.
You can also browse through my Instagram story highlights called V/V Program for a closer look at the kit and how it has been working for our family.
What are the Structure Words for Visualizing and Verbalizing?
A key part of the Visualizing and Verbalizing program is a list of 12 structure words. These structure words are "a list of descriptive words which provide a structure...from which to visualize, verbalize, and write." (Visualizing and Verbalizing for Language Comprehension and Thinking Teacher's Manual by Nanci Bell, p. 66).
The kit does come with 12 cards about 1" x 3", one card for each of the words, like these.
And you can also purchase illustrated structure word posters to supplement the kit.
But neither of these options are great for taking on the go and I really wanted my son to have the list of structure words handy both at school or when he's reading in bed. Something simple that he could reference without me having to pull out all of the cards and/or risk losing one.
I'm not going to go in detail about all the structure words as that is a core part of the Visualizing and Verbalizing curriculum.
Instead, I wanted to offer up these comprehension cards as an alternative and supplementary material for other families already using the program.
Download the Free Printable Language Comprehension Cards
